All in All....

A while back Owen asked me if I could take him to some campus buildings. I thought it was a great idea because, as much as we live in a University town, our family interactions are limited to Krannert Center or Japan House, etc. I decided we'd do it today and then go out to lunch afterward.....as it's my last day of vacation. Trying to get them out of the house, complete with shoes and brushed teeth took a year or two off my life. Leo tried the "well, I'm just going to eat again, why brush them now?" and I pointed out that if you follow that policy the only time you'd ever brush your teeth would be right before death. Lots of glares and rolled eyes. Then, as always, Leo and I stood and waited for the two blondes. GEESH.

We parked a block or so from the Quad and walked over. I tried explaining a bit about some of the buildings. Owen stood off to one side appearing completely uninterested.  I did one of those irritated parental things and asked if he was part of this. He gave me a bland stare and said, "I'm just rolling with it Mom" to which I replied, "you were the one that asked if we could do this!" He looked totally affronted and said he hadn't, I said he had, he said he hadn't, Leo said he had, etc. until I said, "FINE, well, we're all here regardless" and we stomped off. Lord.

I love the buildings around the quad though....the marble, the woodwork.....they are beautiful. Owen softened a bit when we walked into Lincoln Hall and said "wowwww." Leo just kept making helpful statements like, "As you can see on the pavement, it's beginning to rain harder....great idea doing this on a rainy day." I glared at him and muttered "last DAY of vacation" and he gave me a tiny smile of apology. As we wandered out of Smith Music Hall it began raining harder so we aborted and dove back into the car. Owen said it had been great and Leo said he'd probably be interested in a few years.

We went to lunch at Bunnie's so we could see our beloved Amy, got to see Val (and hear Owen talk again about how my mashed potatoes can't compare to hers) and Leo pronounced the fries, though not as good as the Esquire's, acceptable and ate every one of his.

Now we're home, Owen's playing Cheap Trick and perfecting the tying of his new bow ties (he got two---one formal, one casual), Ernie's putting an IKEA dresser together and complaining about his knees, Leo's computering and I'm reading and bobbing my head to the music.

Inexplicably, Owen is also wearing my grandfather's fez.

All in all, a good day.