Road Trip Day 6: Hitting the Slots

I woke up early the next morning, much earlier than Mommy or Daddy would have liked. This did mean, however, that I got a nap in the morning, for which I was grateful. After my nap, we went and got french fries, burgers, and a shake. Mommy and Daddy tried to have us eat this in the car. This was a tactical error on their parts. We went and visited some boys who showed us the first few scenes of Moana and built a large tower. One of them was especially interesting, and played with me much of the time we were there.

Later, we went to eat at a house owned by Grandma's Sister. I know this, as her relationship to us was explained multiple times to MDS. Their house was fascinating, as it had a huge, bright, shiny cash register and kitties. I spent the evening chasing the kitties, which meant that I mostly stared at them under the bed and meowed at them. I always do my best to speak their language, but they never seem very appreciative.

I got up once that night, but only briefly.

Road Trip Day 5: From Five Boys to Two

The next day, we played more with the boys, toys, and doggy. The doggy, while big, was a good doggy, and I enjoyed testing its patience. From my experiments, I can safely assume that it had an endless supply of patience.

We left the boys all too soon. For a reason I cannot begin to fathom, I had not been allowed to remain in one of the places we stayed for longer than two nights thus far. My pain was soon assuaged, however, by good food, good friends, and good, new clothes. There were even new shoes! How I love shoes!

We, again, entered the carriage where I slept for part of the next trip. We eventually arrived at my cousins' house, Cousin Hendrick and Cousin Theodore. A Papa was there, too! We played and ate and played until bedtime. As we do every night, we read the scriptures, although it was different book than the one to which I am accustomed. I am getting to be more patient with this bedtime routine, reading the scriptures with them and folding my arms for prayer on some nights. I figure it is more fun than my old habit of screaming through the process.

I had been very good and patient with sleeping up until this point, falling asleep quickly and sleeping until morning. This night began the deterioration of my flexibility.

Road Trip Day 4: Bigger Doggy

The next day we went to church, after having the obligatory breakfast and bottle.

It was not our congregation, but it all felt very similar, with the exception that nobody tried to force me to go to nursery. We then took a big group picture before packing up our belongings, eating, and, yet again, climbing into our carriage and leaving. I slept most of this span of the trip, so I can report very little on it. When we arrived at our new location, I found myself surrounded by innumerable boys, toys, and one dog, quite larger than the last one that spurned me. This one was far more appreciative of my presence, which I, in turn, appreciated. MDS, while dear to me, did not always obey the wishes of our parents, and I did my best to tell her the errors of her ways when she did so. I do that, sometimes, when I find her being disobedient. If I do not tell Mommy and Daddy when she is doing something wrong, who will? On this night, when we did go to bed, MDS and I were laid down to rest in the room with the toys. This took me a couple tries until I felt comfortable sleeping there.

Road Trip Day 3: ...Time to Fiesta!

I slept all night, awaking to find us still in the house, with Mommy, Daddy, and MDS all in the room together. We ate breakfast after Mommy and Daddy showered, and I was subjected to wearing this hat. At least there was a balloon.

Our first task was to go on a walk. This consisted of MDS and me being strapped into our stroller and not being allowed to walk. It was hot, and, as always, there was not enough water. There is never enough water. I love water. I could always drink water. If I could constantly be drinking water, I would reach nirvana. The only highlight of this walk was when one of the residents of the house pushed us and his son as fast as he could. The speed was able to distract me from the fact I only had a single large bottle of water for a brief period of time.

We then went to eat at a restaurant. Restaurants are impeccable at making people wait to eat. As a princess, I should be given what I want when I want it, unless I am distracted adequately by water. They brought me water, and I was briefly distracted from my desire for food. We then went home and I slept. When I awoke, we again went swimming. This time, though, we actually went swimming. As there were no teachers present to enforce my swimming, I felt no need to do much more than relax in the arms of my parents. After swimming, we went to a park where we ate and listened to music. The music was quite beautiful, and I danced to it with all my heart until I saw a doggy in the distance and just had to go say hi. After five or so attempts to build up my courage to approach the doggy, Daddy eventually joined me and tap danced with me on a tiny stage we found.

We rode a vehicle called a bus back to our cars, and while I struggled some falling asleep that night, MDS helped me calm down by talking to me.

Road Trip Day 2: No Time to Siesta...

The next morning we awoke and, while Mommy and Daddy got ready, MDS and I watched a wondrous show called "Sesame Street." Unlike humans with inappropriate limbs, those Muppets can do no wrong. 

We all went back into the car and began driving again. The drive was longer than the day before, but it was far more enjoyable. I was more appreciative of toys, specifically one that allows me to draw. Unlike the day before, when I lost the writing utensil for the device, a string was tied to keep the utensil attached to the device. I did not appreciate this restriction until I put it in my mouth and found it to have a flavor Daddy called "minty." I was awoken from an eventual slumber to find myself in a strange house full of people, a couple of babies simultaneously younger and larger than me, a doggy, and a bunch of bite size items that, collectively, are called a puzzle. The latter, I was informed, I was not allowed to masticate. Refusing to be told what to do, I was still able to nibble off a little piece. It was disgusting, but worth it. The doggy, while enticing, voiced its disinterest in me in no uncertain terms, and it took me a while to wish to accost it once again. I spent a good amount of the day just exploring the house. We went swimming which, much like the swimming at Grandma's house, was just walking around in some water. We only played for a while, though, until a loud roar came rolling over the mountain, marking the time for our swim time to end. I fell asleep with little fuss that night after sitting up with Mommy for a little bit.

Road Trip Day 1: Misery

After quite a bit of talk about it, my family surprised me by throwing me into our van and whisked me far away from the comfort of my castle. I was not appreciative of this, especially since it started after an already long day. I, of course, complained, and refused to have my pain assuaged by toys for a while. Eventually I calmed down some, but my pain would be aggravated yet again by the sun in my eyes. I wish my family would get a window that would allow me to see moos and mneows and q'acks and tweets but not let in light. Is that so much to ask? When we finally stopped to eat, I was happy as can be just running amok around the restaurant. When our food came, I happily ate, but again returned to my running, chasing MDS and squealing. After we ate, Mommy and Daddy put on a movie about a mermaid, but it also included a shark and a woman with tentacles instead of legs, and I asked for it to be changed. I know that it might sound rude to all of those women out there with tentacles instead of legs, but I have problems with cartoon depictions of anthropoids with features (too many eyes, ears, or other body parts, for example) other than those to which I am accustomed. I know that will make me unpopular with my underwater constituents, but it is how I feel. Fins, however, are acceptable. Anyway, hearing my whimpers of complaint from the backseat, Daddy pulled over and changed it to a more friendly movie until the machine ran out of some invisible substance called "battery power" and I fell asleep. I awoke, screaming, to find us in the dark, parked outside a strange building called a hotel. I was again happy to be released and allowed to run amok in the hotel room until I was placed, happily chatting, into my pack-and-play. Completely exhausted, I talked to MDS until I fell asleep despite being in the same room as my whole family.

Desertion Day 4: Zoo

Grandparents took MDS and me to the zoo the next day. We saw many things, including a giant set of teeth that led me to wish to never meet the creature from whence they came, little birds that were more appropriately sized, and many other wondrous creatures.

After the zoo, I came back to my grandparents' house and slept. When I awoke again, I did my best to empty their pool, one cup at a time.

When Daddy came home, we were, again, overjoyed.

After some demanding on my part, we were allowed to play outside while Daddy cooked us dinner.

After dinner, we were introduced to "creamcicles." I approved.

We then watched "The Jungle Book" at the request of MDS. I began feeling unwell during this time, as you can tell by the picture below.

I was found to have something called a fever, which means little to me besides "sick," and was given medication and extra cuddles. I did not mind.

Mommy came home the next day. I was overjoyed.

Desertion Day 3: Car Wash

The next day went much like the others, with us being cared for by Grandmothers and Daddy picking us up at the end of the day. As always, we took turns singing about how glad we are when Daddy comes home and giving him kisses. Then we were swept off to a wondrous place called a car wash. While slightly frightening, I enjoyed watching ourselves get covered in bubbles and washed by what I can only assume were giant Muppet monsters (It was hard to see for sure through the bubbles). We then came home and had pizza, and my name was mysteriously changed to Raphael. If nothing else, I have learned from MDS that names are fluid, fickle things, as mine changes regularly from Ada to Ariel to Sweetie Bell to Blossom to "the one in the red shirt." After pizza, MDS pushed me some in the spinny chair.

Desertion Day 2: My Ducky!

On the second day of desertion, MDS and I went swimming. This is not the type of swimming to which I am accustomed, where I am held everywhere and am expected to kick to move, but a swimming in which no swimming actually occurs. I appreciate it, unless MDS steals my ducky.

She quickly gave it back. That evening, we ate at a place called McDonald's where MDS climbed in a tower and I climbed on a cheetah, played the piano, and put my shoes on and took them off again. Oh, and we ate some food, too.

I slept much better that night.

Desertion Day 1: BEE BEE!

Mommy deserted me for a few days. I was not happy about this decision.

My Dear Sister (MDS) talked me through the experience, however, and that made it all better. As we drove away from the point where Mommy was dropped off, she said, "Ada, are you sad because you miss Mommy?" I nodded. "Ada," she said, "we'll take care of you!" The whole experience was harrowing, but I survived and made the best of it. The first day Mommy left, I spent time with both sets of grandparents. When Daddy got home from work that day, we ate at one grandparents' house, where I got to see kitties and beebees. Beebees, if you are unaware, are little creatures that both fly and crawl and are often found around flowers. While frightened of them, I also find a strange fascination with them. Occasionally, Mommy or Daddy claim that some beebees are not beebees but are, in fact, flecks of dirt, but that does little to assuage my fears.

That night, I got very upset that Mommy had not yet returned. I screamed and pointed at the door, wishing for Mommy to return. With the help of Clifford, however, I was finally able to relax and slept through the night.

Spinny Chair

My Dear Sister is obsessed with the concept of a distant land called Disneyland, where princesses abound, there are rides that tell stories, and throngs of people go to enjoy them. I find little enjoyment in the thought of this place, as I see no need for any more princesses besides us, nor any reason to see any more commoners than necessary. As for the rides, however, I have enough at home. Take the Spinny Chair (or what Mommy and Daddy affectionately call "The Ugly Plaid Chair") for example. I could spin in this thing forever. Sometimes My Dear Sister will spin me by myself, and sometimes Mommy or Daddy will spin us together. Either way, it is a source of endless joy.

In unrelated news, I vomited shortly after this.

Swim Class Graduation

Swim class is now over. I learned some valuable lessons while there:

-I love relaxing in the pool, but that is not considered "swimming."

-Swimming is only enjoyable for a little less than the class took place.

-I prefer Mommy to Daddy when swimming, which works well since My Dear Sister preferred Daddy

-Swimming is best when nobody is telling you what to do.

-Toys do not go in the gutter around the edge of the pool.

-It is very tempting to put toys in the gutter around the edge of the pool.

-I do not like being put on my back in the pool.

-Everyone gets really excited whenever I wave my arms in the water while kicking my legs, but it takes far more concentration than I'm willing to waste on it.

-I could sit on that flat, green, foam, floating ducky all day.

-Pool water is disgusting but addictive.

There are also some things that I hope my parents have learned:

-You can say "kick" all you want, but I will kick as quickly as I feel like it.

-When I say that I want to get out, I want to get out.

-Please stop throwing my ducky away from me and expecting me to swim to it. I will spite you by no longer caring about the ducky.

-Please cease telling me to blow bubbles. I do not know what that means, and you know it will always result in me licking the water.