Gotta Keep That Energy Level

 So D1 and her bear cubs, as she calls them, came over yesterday afternoon. D1 is of the belief that activities must be provided constantly: Wifey and I don'r roll that way. We had coloring, and feeding the fish, and lots of in house hide and seek.

We decided on Chick Fil A for dinner, but even D1, not shy about spending for convenience, balked at the UberEats markup -- and so left to go fetch from our newly opened location. Meanwhile, our neighbor Jesus had invited me over for a cocktail, and so I took him up on it while D1 was out.

Wow. Amazing guy. He owns 3 crypto/AI companies, and I felt like I was talking to a Cuban born Malcolm Gladwell -- talking about a future where the currency of wealth will be knowledge instead of dollars. He opened a Spanish wine that a family check revealed cost over $500. We were having such great conversation, he tried to open a second -- I begged off. So instead he poured fingers and fingers of Johnny Walker Blue. I'm not much of a Scotch guy, but even if you're not a chocolate guy, you don't turn down a Sacher torte, as Wifey and Eric and Dana will learn next month on our trip. It was delightful.

I came home in time to tell Little Man bedtime tales of the Night Bird, a critter I contrived when the Ds were little, about a powerful bird who flies over the city at night, re-homing lost children, dogs, and cats. The Little Man had a LOT of commentary to go with my story telling, but about 9, he conked out -- as did D1 and Baby Man downstairs, and Wifey upstairs. I drifted off into my nice Blue induced sleep...

Little Man is maturing -- as promised -- he didn't wake me until first light. We made our trip to House of Bagels and got provisions for everyone. Around 10:30, we left for the Zoo, and pedaled around, meeting up with D1's lovely British friend and her 2 "Masterpiece Theater" casting daughters. "Mummy -- will we see the gorillas?"

We separated so the Brits could do the splash park, while we searched for the Harpy Eagle -- to no avail. But then we had lunch at the very nice restaurant there, and headed for home. Baby Man napped in the car with his Mom; Little Man built block castles and colored. I got to nap for 10 minutes, and awoke to take the Baby Man on a wagon ride around the 'hood.

They just left -- after 26 hours -- and it was delightful but really tiring. I don't know how grandparents tasked with full time parenting do it. I guess if you have to, you do, but man little kids are for the young -- I say this like a broken record -- a reference meaningless to young folks.

I keep thinking of my friends who had kids later, or whose kids are nowhere near producing grandkids. I hope the joint replacements and hormonal therapy do the trick -- I can't imagine being in my mid 70s and tasked with toddler sitting.

That said, they indeed grow so fast. The older boy, now 5.5, is a real kid, and not a constant threat to kill himself. The little guy is maturing, too, though remains very much a toddler.

So may we keep the strength to continue this grandparent gig. We sure do adore these boys...