Busy crazy weekend

On Friday, a local community center had a "Parents Night Out," where they provided a bunch of fun activities for kids -- face painting, a bouncy house, a movie, snack -- so Drew and I took the opportunity to see a movie ("American Hustle," which was fantastic) and grabbed dinner from a local bistro -- I had to order takeout, but we all will go back there someday because the food was inexpensive and good.

On the way home, Rachel said that the staff had played "Simon Says" with her, and she had won, and I reminded her that I had stopped playing that game with her because she won all the time.

"I guess I was just born to be smart," she said cheerfully, and yes, that is true.

On Saturday we discovered a great children's theater company here in Arlington that was putting on "The Little Mermaid Jr." a local stage production with kids in elementary, middle and high school. The singing was uneven but the acting, costumes and props were actually pretty good. Rachel was so happy that I took her, even if she begged to leave during the scary parts (I told her we couldn't leave, so I covered her eyes and ears instead).

When we got home, we had an early dinner and then played "Monopoly Junior," which Charon had brought us as a holiday gift when we invited her and her family over for a holiday dinner last month. Man, Rachel is good at that game. Drew went bankrupt and Rachel won.

"I actually don't like being rich," Rachel said at one point during the game. "'Cause then you have to have a lot of moneybags and you don't have room for other stuff. Got that, Bear?"

Then she added: "I can't believe I just beated two grownups!"
Me: "How about you go to bed?"
Rachel" How about NOT?"

She's so cute I can barely stand it.

Today I had to spend most all of the day working on a magazine story, so I was out of the house by 8 and then back by 5. Drew made dinner, got Rachel to bed early, and I did some more work on the story. Now about to take a break to watch "Downtown Abbey," and then it's back on the story at 8 a.m. tomorrow. When it's all turned in, I plan to take at least a one-day break!