Just One

Annie spent yesterday (and last night) at my parents'. Once a summer, my mom likes to take Annie for the day and do special things with her; this year, they went to a Hope Summer Theatre play, took a boat ride, and went to get ice cream with my dad. Annie had a great time, and we got to spend a whole day with just Jemma. We almost don't remember, anymore, what it's like to have just one, and we were giddy with the ease of it all: no fighting or squabbling, one schedule, half the stuff to drag around with us. Of course, Jemma's at such a great age right now. She's mostly happy, and when she isn't, she's easily distracted. She kept asking, "Ah-dee? Ah-dee?" We'd tell her Annie was at grandma's, and she'd say, "Ooooh" and nod slowly, comprehendingly. Half an hour later, we'd do it again.

So we took her downtown for the afternoon and walked by the river, looked at ducks, checked out some new restaurants that look interesting. We ate dinner at Little Mexico, where our food came in 3 1/2 minutes and Jemma flirted with the waiter and with the little kids seated at a nearby table. We walked to Jersey Junction and let her have half our vanilla malt in the stroller so we could have adult conversation. Then, we put her promptly to bed and watched the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics in awe. I was sprawled out on the couch, watching continuously through my allergy attack/sneezing fit and Jason was walking in and out of the room, half-ass practicing his guitar. Every time he came back in, he asked, "How are they doing that???" Indeed. It was unbelievable; I'd say the Chinese are all set to take over the world, now.