Day 1

We made great time today and arrived in the Land of Lincoln at about 5:30. Grandma made lovely party sandwiches, which we devoured. So much tastier than a Big Mac. The girls discovered the toy closet and Patch discovered the rip-apart referee. As we left, Mini-me sighed and said "Your Grandma has the most beautiful house." It's too true.

We are staying at the Double Tree down the street from my grandparents. The kids are exhausted, yet wired. They have been scrubbed, tubbed, and adequately fed, but still refuse to be taken into the arms of Orpheus. (Or is it Morpheus???) At any rate, they refuse.

The drive was not too terrible. We had to remind Flower that she was not, nor never would be, the parent of Mini-me and Patch, and that she needs to mind her own business. Mini-me lost her gum-chewing privileges an hour into the drive, and Patch decided to exhibit his song-stylings as we drove along the Chicago suburbs. We only used the DVD player twice, as the girls were enthralled with their Toobs. We even rigged up some head phones (or "ear pods," as Mini-me called them), so we could listen to our music instead of Pooh's Heffalump Movie.

I would say that a good time was had by all today. So far we still like each other. We'll see if I say the same tomorrow.