Bats

A little less than three weeks ago Evan was running out of his room and into our bed in the middle of the night every night because he was scared. Then Vivian joined the circus. Jo and I didn't get much sleep one night. Next morning it was time to bring out the big guns. Charts and Stickers. Jo drew up the chart with one row for Vivian and another for Evan and a column for each day of the week. Every night they didn't get out of bed Jo gave them a sticker next morning. Problem solved. Period.

Today we took them out for a special treat. Dinner and dessert at Whole Foods and watching the bats come out from under Congress Bridge after sunset. They got to bed an hour after their usual bed time - tired and happy.

If only all problems in life could be solved with a chart and stickers.

On the way back home, Vivian was singing tunelessly in the back seat. We asked her not to just make noise. Have a conversation if you have something to say, I said.

"Vivian and I will have a conversation" said Evan.

On the way to downtown we had been discussing the relative sizes of tall buildings and Giant Redwoods. So Vivian decided it was time to say some interesting things about them. When she finished there was a stunned silence. Then...

"Vivian, do you know everything?" asked Evan in amazement.
"Sort off" she replied immodestly.