Chicago, Day 2

Chicago, Day 2: both kids have colds, but we had a great day at Shedd Aquarium! Now back to the hotel to swim!

Chicago, Day 1

Chicago Day 1: great drive, no fussing, and swimming in the hotel pool!

ALL My Cheeks?

Tonight I had a What-Kind-of-Parent-Am-I? moment. I told Marty he has eczema bloom on all four cheeks. He says "ALL my cheeks? Oh damn! I better run faster!"

"EXTRA PETROLEUM!"

My son, watching Harry Potter 3, grabs his wand to cast the spell "expecto petronum" but instead says "EXTRA PETROLEUM!"

Silly Marty

My son just said "Grandma says I'm just like a bowl in a Chinese shop!" Something like that, son.

Marty's Christmas Blessing

Tonight Marty said to me: "Didn't you know you're all I wanted for Christmas? Didn't you know I didn't need any presents, I just wanted you? Didn't you know you're all I need, Mama? Didn't you know I love you?"

Jack-Jack, Redeeming Social Value

Who would've thought the world's worst-tempered conjure would fall in love with a little autistic girl, and vice versa!? Jack-Jack (Poppy's evil, vicious, conjure bird who hates and bites everyone) is in love with Ellie! He was loose in the bathroom (Grammy forgot about him) and Ellie went in. Grammy heard his wicked chuckling sound and (rightfully) panicked and rushed to save her, but she came strutting out of the bathroom grinning, giggling, & wildly excited - with Jack-Jack on her shoulder! Grammy carefully reached out to take him, and he bit her and drew blood! She tried offering a treat, but he bit her again. He rubbed his head on Ellie's cheek and made contented chuckling sounds, and she was thrilled! Grammy got a pillowcase and captured him. Caught in the pillowcase, Jack-Jack became an angry blur of feathered fury. trying to bite through the fabric. Marty yowled, "You can't take my sister's bird! He needs his freedom, don't you know that? You didn't know he needs to be free?" Grammy got the angry pillowcase into the cage and let Jack-Jack work himself out. When we left, Ellie told the nasty little thing, "Bye-bye, Jack-Jack, night-night!" He, who had been trying desperately to get his beak through the bars to bite me, chuckled at her and looked as sweet as honey. He pitched an absolute fit when we went out the door.