Friday, July 30, 2010

The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand

I was too late to give Dad more grandchildren, but it was time to expand our little family. Hans was happy to hear the news. We agree a sweet little girl would be wonderful to go with our handsome young son.

Hans and Picasso are starting to feel more normal. Chatting and joking like a father and son should.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Twas brillig, and the slithy toves - Did gyre and gimble in the wabe

Miss Bossy Boots?!
Twerpy?!
Of course I had to tell you what to do. You were an impossible little twerpy brother.
You never left me alone. Always in my face.
.
.
.
.
.
[sigh] Guess Dad really is gone. He should have told us to settle down by now.
Yes, he would have.

We've all been taking Dad's death pretty hard. He was a huge influence on our lives.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

He had softly and suddenly vanished away---For the Snark was a Boojum, you see.

So I left you with knowing that it was Picasso's birthday. No party, just a quiet family affair. Brooke bought a nice cake, there was a bit of juice, we were all happy.

It was to be a celebration of Picasso becoming a child and

Saturday, July 24, 2010

When they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea

Dull? Me? Bossy older sisters, it's not like I'm going to listen to her drooling over Hans all the time.

Oh, I'm Johnny, and I'm taking over for a little. Hans and Miss Bossy Boots Brooke are still all over each other. When they aren't with their brat, of course.

Well, Miss Bossy Brooky did fall in love with Hans not long after they met. I've been finding love a bit harder. There really hasn't been a girl that stands out for me.

This is Alaina Proffit-Frio. I was out looking for scrap for more inventing when I notice Alaina.

And for once a girl did not look at me like I was from another planet when I flirted with her. That was nice, I was starting to think I had some girl repellent features that meant I'd never find one.

In fact this was going so well, I asked Alaina out to dinner at the Bistro. Unfortunately, it was later than I had realised. Way later once we ate.

I was busted for breaking curfew. The cop didn't care that it my first date, or anything else. She was just determined to get me home.

God, if Dad comes out, the whole fricking street is going to hear "John Edward Grant". Dad can be quite loud when he's angry. If it's Mom, it will be quiet but she'll be tearing strips off me for breaking curfew.

It was Mom. She was definitely in quiet but deadly mode too.  No visible wounds but man that hurt none the less.

She didn't care it was my first date either. I wish it had been dad, he would have yelled for a minute but he'd understand.

Finally, I'm growing up and won't be a teenager any more. I'll have no more curfews, can do more. Alaina is over to celebrate as well.

It feels good to finally be an adult. I decided Alaina and I should celebrate by taking a trip to China.

I discovered that Alaina is adventurous and absolutely loves rummaging around in tombs and caves. Me? I am actually more interested in adding to my collection of artifacts but you have to explore tombs to find good ones.

Man, I hate bugs.
We did a lot of tomb exploring over the 5 days we stayed.

We also got better acquainted - if you catch my drift.

Much

Much

Much better acquainted.

It was fantastic to be with Alaina over a holiday. Much as I love my family, even Miss Bossy Boots, I'd never have this kind of time alone there.

I spent a lot of time doing errands for this guy. He needed metals, gems, all sorts of stuff. While I was at it, I grabbed a lot of extras to bring home. My bags weighed a ton but we not only paid for the holiday, we made a serious profit out of it.

Alaina was quite taken with the Martial Arts. She'll be good at this sometime.

Base camp does have most of what you need. But you do have to cook, clean and do repairs while you're there.

We flew home and Brooke mentioned that it was Picasso's birthday that night. Good thing she said something, I had rather forgotten his birthday was rapidly arriving.


Bonus pic
Johnny with dad's hair and fuzz... and then it's obvious that poor Johnny is another Grant clone. Except for his mom's hair color.

Friday, July 2, 2010

How doth the little crocodile Improve his shining tail


Dad does most of the cooking.  It's usually breakfast so he hasn't been doing as many burgers lately [drat].  I should pick up some of the cooking duties, it isn't fair to depend on dad.

Ripley's art is definitely improving.  This water lily is quite pretty and should sell well.

My boys are spending quality time together.  I don't know why Hans is teaching Picasso about promotions, it's not like anyone in the family has had a job that had promotions.

Picasso looked quite interested about the idea of books.  Drat, we haven't taken him to the library to read. We should do that.

Thinking about the library, I decided to pop over and read a book about charisma.  I've heard about some books being fantastic on the subject but they are awfully expensive.

Dad and I had a nice talk about things.  Unfortunately he is getting a bit absent-minded in his old age and does stuff like tell me his favourite colour, for the billionth time.  Yeah, Dad, it's spice berry.  Can we talk about something else?  Like your grandson?

Ok, this was a bit too much family togetherness.  But I had to go and I really didn't want to interrupt the boys when they were so close to finishing.

I think Dad is feeling a bit under the weather.  Twice when Ripley tried to romance him, he refused.  That's not like Dad, he loves Ripley and usually adores it when she flirts.

Hans and I didn't have any problems at all.

Picasso is learning to walk.  Hans is improving his guitar.

Johnny and Dad both have the inventing bug.

I'm worried about Johnny, he's not a typical teen.  He never has friends over, doesn't have a girlfriend, doesn't ask about going out late.  Nothing.  He's really quite...dull?