Thursday, May 31, 2007

Basil stole my toast!


[As transcribed by Daddy]

I was uncontrollably chatty for the second day in a row today. Great mood plus lots to say equals very entertained parents! I took one look at Daddy when he woke up and insisted that he shave. For once I actually agreed to help him - I smothered his entire face with shaving cream, especially his eyes. I also read a book to one of my toys, just for fun.

Daddy drove Mommy and I to do some grocery shopping, and we came home for lunch pretty quickly. Before long, Mommy had developed a migraine that never really went away. I fought my nap, but eventually succumbed. While Mommy hid in the bathtub, I helped Daddy make dinner, and then visited with Gammy and Grandpa when they came back from visiting Nana, Jim, and Cool Uncle Gareth (pictured here in his Yale Graduation robes, holding a portrait I did of him). Nana got me a cute pink chair... I love it!

I'm trying to sleep, but I keep being awoken by dreams of Basil trying to steal my toast.

Listening to: Muse - Black Holes and Revelations


Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Bubble Rocketship


[As transcribed by Daddy]

I was quite the happy, chatty baby today. I found a hefty copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (incidentally, the very same book Daddy read aloud to Mommy while she was in labour with me) and read it to my folks:

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J. K. Rowling

One day, Harry Potter went to the zoo. He saw tapirs, and he saw an elephant zrbt the sand, which made him fall down. The End. Great story. I'm twenty-two months old.


Daddy got housepaint on his pants the other day, so we went to the store to replace them. After lunch I refused to nap, so Mommy and Daddy drove Basil and I around for a few hours until we had all become well-rested. Later on, while my parents painted the trim in our soon-to-be new bedroom, I drew pictures and became fascinated by Daddy's lava lamp, which I call a "Bubble Rocketship."

Listening to: Moe Berg - Summer's Over


Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Ketchup and Eye Freem


[As transcribed by Daddy]

We all had some errands to run this morning. We his the bookstore first, and I got a nice woodden 'fit-the-shapes-in-the-appropriate-slots' puzzle while my parents got other books. When we stopped at a burger joint for lunch, which was fine with me because I sure loves me some ketchup. Next we bought some paint, and then Daddy bought a fancy pair of headphones for his new job.

I did NOT want to have a nap this afternoon. Mommy had to snooze with me to get me to pass out, and once we did, it was hours and hours before we woke up. Mommy and Daddy took turns house painting, and at one point Daddy and Nee-Nee took me for a walk to the store for ice cream ("eye freem"). Fun stuff!


Monday, May 28, 2007

Remodeling


[As transcribed by Daddy]

This morning Mommy and Daddy drove me off to one of our favourite little restaurants where we met with Jason, Arlynn, and Corrin for brunch. We had a nice time, until I leaned back in my chair and fell backwards onto the floor. But whatever - a few yam fries later and I had forgotten it even happened.

Jason and Arlynn let us all hang out at their place for a while, which eas nice because I got to play with Corrin's toys (and Daddy got to play with Jason's Doctor Who toys). Then it was back home for more remodeling... ceilings, walls, and the like. Daddy went out and bought the wrong kind of paint... way to go, smart guy.

Still, I enjoyed watching cartoons in a big, empty white room on a concrete floor while wearing only a diaper. It's kind of relaxing.


Sunday, May 27, 2007

Basil Ate A Mouse's Head.


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Well, my parents are wasting no time whatsoever today. After a quick trip to visit the chiropractor and our usual Saturday morning butcher run, it became time to demolish the apartment while the landlords are out of town.

While I napped, Mommy and Daddy started the process of connecting our place with the adjoining apartment. This meant emptying out one big room (in which Basil found a dead mouse, and ate it's head), pulling up the wall-to-wall carpet, cleaning, going out to by some drywall stuff, and pricing flooring.

By the time I went to bed, Daddy had left to spend a pretty good chunk of change on thirteen boxes of hardwood floorboard, some primer, and a frappucino. Apparently, the place is all ready for paint and some electrical stuff.

I personally love yesterday's blog entry - I get Daddy to play the movie clip over and over again while I actually accompany the recording of myself on the harmonica. We'll have to get THAT on tape, too.


Saturday, May 26, 2007

Surprise!



[As transcribed by Daddy]

I'm something of a whiny kid, these days. You know... overreacting over the littlest thing, whining and sobbing when I can't get my way, and still trying to figure out the appropriate response to everything from being told to brush my teeth to being told we aren't moving to New York after all.

Gammy and Grandpa drove off on a road-trip to visit with Cool Uncle Gareth for his Yale Graduation, to visit with Nana and Jim, and to just have some time off from work. I said good-bye to them, went for a walk with Mommy and Daddy, then drove downtown to visit Alice (who I last saw when I had a crayon up my nose). Mommy and Daddy took me to lunch, then we did some grocery shopping, and I fell asleep in the car on the way home.

I was a really whiny, moody spaz when I woke up. Things didn't improve until we did some shopping for paint chips and flooring samples, and then went next door for Richard's surprise party with Nee-Nee. Mommy taught me to wait for Richard to walk in and yell "Surprise!"... only I missed my opportunity. I made sure to make up for my mistake by yelling it for the rest of the night.

Listening to: Stars - Set Yourself On Fire


Friday, May 25, 2007

Nose-Picking Perspectives


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Daddy is trying to type this blog entry very quietly, as I've woken up in the middle of the night for the second evening in a row and am trying to sleep closeby.

Today Mommy took me to Julie & Sarah's - there was another little girl there, named Lily, who played with us in a big pool and splashed me with water a lot. I had a blast, and all I asked to do all day was to go back! It was so exciting that I refused to have any sort of nap in the afternoon. Mommy tried her best, but I wasn't having any of it.

Not having a nap can make a kid cranky, wired, and insanely whiny, and causes you to lose all perspective when your own mother kindly requests that you not pick your nose.


Thursday, May 24, 2007

Distracted Daddy


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Last night I reportedly had a dream about giant orange cats that flew. I may or may not have been riding on them. Don't I have quite the little imagination? Did I mention that yesterday I had a telephone conversation with Nana via the DVD remote:

"Oh, Nana. Fine... good. Oh, cereal?! Dee-wicious! Come dinner? Hmm.... what's missing? Nana missing!"

This morning Daddy drove Mommy and I downtown to buy comic books... only it turns out he got the day wrong. New comic books come out tomorrow. Something must be on that guy's mind, if he's forgetting stuff like that. We bought some clothes for Mommy, ate lunch, came home, and did some more shopping instead.

I sure hope Daddy doesn't forget to watch that episode of his favourite show tonight. It's the season finale!

Listening to: Frank Zappa - Läther


Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Go fly a kite!


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Daddy spent more time waiting around the phone today, so Mommy and I left him to it by playing outside with a stray basketball that washed up on our front lawn. Eventually he got fed up with waiting, and went for a nice walk with Mommy and I through the park. I really wanted to go to a playground, but... whatever.

After my nap, Mommy and Daddy walked me to the toy store, where we bought a kite! We came home, got in the car, got some juice, and then walked to the beach to fly said kite. Once we hit the beach I was more interested in playing in the sand then fiddling with a kite way up in the sky, but my parents seemed to be enjoying themselves. I brought most of the beach home with me in my shoes, hair, and diaper.


Tuesday, May 22, 2007

The Radeon 9800 Blues


[As transcribed by Daddy]

I was up really early, ready to play, watch television, read books, crawl all over my sleeping parents, and bludgeon Daddy in the crotch using one of Basil's dog bones as a shillelagh. Ah, the joys of being a kid. You can get away with so much.

We all did some playing outside, and also did some waiting around for important emails and phone calls that never really came. Daddy took out his frustrations on the computer by FINALLY fixing it - amazing how you can resolve a machine's graphics-card related problems by actually just removing the graphics card itself (turns out it was pretty fried). So, everyone will be happy to know we seem to be back up-and-running... no more crashes (fingers crossed).

After my nap, my parents took me to the zoo. Sure, being a long weekend, we risked crowds - but we got there so late in the day, afrer a while we had the while place (giraffes and all) to ourselves.

Listening to: The The - NakedSelf


Monday, May 21, 2007

Napless Afternoon


[As transcribed by Daddy]

We all slept in this morning! It kinda threw everything off - we had brunch at eleven in the morning, which meant there wasn't much point in having lunch. For the first time in... well... longer than any of us can remember, I didn't have any afternoon nap today. Nothing even came close! I ran around the front yard with the family, then packed up and drove off to do some shopping with my folks. We bought jammies for me, a little (yet oddly expensive) backpack for when we go hiking, and some books at the bookstore.

When we headed back, Mommy and Daddy took me for a walk over to the nearest playground, where as usual I swung on the swing and slid on the slide.

The napless afternoon came into full effect at bedtime... I could barely stay awake for Mommy's soothing rendition of "Mary Had A Little Lamb." I fell asleep before I made it to the crib - it's the first time that's happened in months.

Listening to: George Harrison - All Things Must Pass


Sunday, May 20, 2007

Walking in Walker Woods


[As transcribed by Daddy]

As far as Saturdays go, today was a little weird. First off, we didn't go to the butcher this morning! Mommy wasn't feeling well, so I stayed home with her and we sent Daddy to take care of all of our organic meat and vegetable needs. Apparently, we missed a pleasant morning in the Beaches.

After lunch, Daddy drove Basil and Mommy and I eastward - I had a quick nap, and when I woke up we were at Walker Woods. We had a nice hike that lasted for almost two hours, and a lot of it was up-and-down and in the sun, so... we all got our workout. When we got home, Mommy and Daddy had to go to the pharmacist, so I stayed with Gammy and Grandpa, and got them to watch cartoons with me.

For some reason, all my parents have been able to talk about for the past few days is "Moving to New York City." I wonder what's up with that...

Listening to: Kings of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak


Saturday, May 19, 2007

Twenty-Two Months Old!


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Daddy had to wait around for an important phone call today, so we didn't do very much... just hung out, mostly. Gammy and Grandpa joined us out in the front yard, and I got it into my head that I wanted to play tag. Once Basil saw us all running around, though, he got really excited and knocked Gammy and I to the ground. I have to admit... it was kinda funny.

Daddy got his phone call, and then I went down for a nap... when I woke up, Mommy and Daddy and I hopped in the car and went for a quick jaunt to the grocery store. We came home and after waiting for what felt like an eternity, take-out Chinese food arrived. We all pigged out and got to have birthday cake for dessert.

Listening to: The Beatles - Anthology 2


Friday, May 18, 2007

Everywhere People Stare...


[As transcribed by Daddy]

This morning Mommy and I marched off to Julie and Sarah's house. I brought my harmonica, and Mommy brought my cazoo - we had a little parade on the way, and even managed to illicit polite applause from staring strangers on the way. At one point I saw a bus and demanded that we ride on it. Gotta love riding the bus!

After a nice morning of more harmonica playing, Daddy came and picked us up, we all had lunch, and then immediately took off in the car again for Mommy's doctor appointment. We were stuck in traffic, stuck in the waiting room, and then stuck with the Doctor - as soon as I saw him, I freaked out, worried about a needle. Quite the Pavlovian response. Daddy and I were told to wait back in the waiting room, where I (and I quote) "checked the walls for snakes for a couple of minutes." Stuck in traffic on the way home, too. All in all, our little jaunt took about four hours.

Since there wasn't much of a nap during the day, I went to bed early, but not before shocking everyone by spontaneously walking around the apartment singing Beatles lyrics.


Thursday, May 17, 2007

Harmonica Serenade


[As transcribed by Daddy]

It's a rainy and muddy one out there again, so I didn't really go outside at all. Just kinda hung out inside and tried to plug Daddy's old elevator key-card into Basil's backside. Keepin' myself entertained on a rainy day. You know how it is.

After my afternoon nap, Daddy came back from an appointment (before immediately changing his shirt and leaving for another one) with his friend Hubert in tow. It was nice to have a visitor - I surprised everyone by serenading him with my harmonica! Although, as much as I liked him, Basil really seemed to like him.

Later in the day I played my harmonica for Gammy and Grandpa, too. I dunno why suddenly I'm alright to play it - I've been kind of afraid of it for the past few days.


Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Pink Crocs


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Woo! It was a hot one out there! Pretty ridiculously humid for mid-May. Anyway, I did some playing outside with my parents and grandparents today, and then as usual I had my post-lunch nap. When I woke up, Mommy and Daddy loaded me into the car and took me shopping - we bought a DVD and a nice new pair of shoes for me. Pretty cool - I even got to choose the colour!

Imagine my surprise when late in the afternoon, Mommy and Daddy took me to the zoo! We checked out my usual faves - the Tapir and Rhinos, Orangutans, Mandrills... and then the sky cracked open and started pouring rain on us. Hard. The thunder kinda freaked me out a bit, and the temperature plummeted. We all got soaked, and my folks seemed to think it was pretty funny... but I didn't!

Listening to: The Magnetic Fields - i


Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Panda Eats Bamboo


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Today was your average Monday - up early, ready to play and start the week off on the right foot. Before lunch, and after some yard work outside and playing with Grandpa, Daddy drove Mommy and I to Ikea. We had a relatively good time, and picked up a step-stool for me so that I could stand at the bathroom counter and wash my hands easier (and help Mommy with cooking)... but while we were there I had a blast running around the kid's section. Suddenly, I saw it - a big, stuffed Panda! In about ten seconds we were best friends, that Panda and I.

We stopped off at the supermarket on the way home to fulfill some of my parents' lunch cravings. Came home (Panda in tow) and ate lunch, and then I had my nap. When I woke up, Daddy was out at an appointment - but yesterday's mother's day bouquet was here in his place. Delicious!

When it was time for bed tonight, all I wanted to do was play with my Panda, and to explain to Mommy how he likes to eat bamboo.


Monday, May 14, 2007

Me and My Shadow


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Daddy kinda slept in today, which didn't play well around these parts, as 'twas Mother's Day. Still, he managed to somehow make an adequate breakfast and lunch, which themselves sandwiched a nice gift-giving period that involved my grandparents. Everyone got gifts and cards, and all were pretty happy.

After said lunch, Mommy and Daddy and Basil and I went for a long drive. I didn't fall asleep in the car as planned, and really began to scream and complain, which drove Mommy nuts. She threatened to turn the car around, and so... we did. Of course, on the way back, I fell asleep.

Daddy let Mommy rest when we got home (the bouquet Daddy ordered never arrived!), so I went for a walk through the park with him and Grandpa. They were happy to take a bunch of great photos, but I was most happy to finally discover my shadow!

Listening to: Rollins Band - The End Of Silence


Sunday, May 13, 2007

666 days old!


[As transcribed by Daddy]

To pre-empt any Mother's Day crowds, Mommy and Daddy treated Gammy, Grandpa, Nee-Nee and I to a Mother's Day brunch this afternoon after a quick jaunt to the butcher's and a few bookstores. It was pretty good - we all ate a whole lot of food, and I got a free beach ball. Yay! Once we got home, I played with that thing (and my polished rock collection) on the front lawn for quite some time.

Mommy had a nice nap with me this afternoon, and once her and I de-groggified ourselves, we hopped in the car with Daddy to run a few more Mother's Day-related errands. I can't go into detail here, because... well, you know, Gammy's gonna read this when she wakes up tomorrow morning, and none of us want to spoil any Mother's Day surprises. Er... not that we did everything last minute.

Listening to: Björk - Volta


Saturday, May 12, 2007

Yam.


[As transcribed by Daddy]

For some unknown reason, I no longer say 'yes' or 'yeah' - I say "Yam." Isn't that odd? My folks are trying to correct my vernacular, and Daddy thinks it'll be hilarious to train me to say "affirmative" instead.

Had a nice morning, and did a lot of walking up-and-down the street with either of my parents. The neighbours think I'm cute, and of course they're right. I had my nap, and when I woke up Mommy and Daddy had bought lots of lawn-care stuff, so I helped Mommy seed, soil, and water the back yard.

Before dinner, we went to the grocery store to stock up on food. The cart kept shocking me! We also bought some magnetic printer paper, and after I went to bed Mommy used it to make me a set of magnetic paper dolls.

Listening to: Final Fantasy - Has A Good Home


Friday, May 11, 2007

Squeaky Toy


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Daddy is home! Yay! I'm pretty happy to see him - he brought Basil a fantastic squeaky toy back from New York, which I immediately got my mitts on. Now it's mine.

It rained last night, which meant lots of worms for me to farm in the yard this morning. After lunch, Daddy and Nee-Nee went downtown to do some shopping, and got home just as I was waking up from my nap. The bunch of us played out on the front yard, where we were joined by Gammy, Grampa, and Lucie from next door.

To make up for being gone over the past few days, Daddy took Mommy and I out to dinner. I ate a lot of hummus, which is to be expected, seeing as how 'dip' is my favourite food.

Listening to: The Bad Plus - Prog


Thursday, May 10, 2007

Miss Daddy


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Mommy and I made cookies after lunch - I saw some on TV or something, and asked Mommy if we could make some, so...we did! We didn't go outside much today - Mommy and I were too busy making the house look nice for when Daddy comes home tonight.

Not only am I afraid of my Mr. Potato Head doll, but I informed Mommy that I'm now also afraid of Caymans. Good thing that there aren't any around. I told Mommy that I was her "little bear", and I also figured out how to stick out my tongue and touch my head.

When Mommy was putting me down tonight, I told her that I "miss Daddy."


Wednesday, May 09, 2007

A Hat For Basil


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Daddy's still with Cool Uncle Gareth in New York / Connecticut. I miss him a lot!

Mommy and I did an awful lot of work outside today - Mommy's feeling a bit better, and the weather is super warm, so we worked ourselves silly on yard and patio stuff. We planned to go to the health food store to buy me some new toothpaste, but the nap we took ended up being something like three hours long (all that digging, shoveling, and weed-pulling takes a lot our of a couple o' gals), so we missed our opportunity.

I made Mommy kinda mad - she snapped at me and it really startled me, and I cried. Mommy felt bad (although I shouldn't have been playing in Basil's dog food for the million time) so I made it up to her by hugging her and then taking a roll of fabric (supplied by Aunt Wendy) and putting it on Basil's head (see photo). I pointed to him and said "Hat! Made it! Basil!"


Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Daddy in New York



[As transcribed by Daddy]

I had to wake up really early this morning to say bye-bye to Daddy, who flew off to New York to visit Cool Uncle Gareth and have some appointments and stuff. The early wake-up kinda screwed me up... I wanted lunch at around 10:30 AM, and had my afternoon nap around noon.

Mommy and I went to the new post office to mail a package, but apparently we were their first-ever customers or something, because it took the Canada Post employees almost a half hour to figure out what to do with one little parcel!

While Cool Uncle Gareth took Daddy to a crazy Indian Restaurant for dinner (see photo), his indigestion travelled over the cell-phone to Mommy, who got seriously ill before we could head off to her dentist appointment. I was really looking forward to that trip, and took its cancellation kinda hard.


Monday, May 07, 2007

Whole Bunch Trilliums


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Perhaps it's the hypnotic, repetitive viewings of my Toopie & Binoo DVD, but somehow everyone at home was lulled into lengthy naps this morning. Either that or it was the pancakes Mommy made... in any case, Daddy fell asleep and I hung out with Mommy, and then she fell asleep and I hung out with Daddy. Then we went for a long drive, and I fell asleep in the car.

We ended up driving for a really long time - the consequence of not having a clear, set-in-stone destination. We drove all over the Greater Toronto Area, before finally finding a swampy little corner of the Bruce Trail to hike along (thank goodness - I was getting really cranky). The gnats really bothered Daddy, but I loved the endless rows of trillums. I kept counting them... "one, two, three... whole bunch!"

Listening to: Van Halen - Fair Warning


Sunday, May 06, 2007

What's Wrong?


[As transcribed by Daddy]

I was in a pretty good mood for most of the morning - played, went outside, did some racing, running around, and scrounging for worms. I even helped Mommy work on the patio outside and snuck in a few meals. In the afternoon, we all took a walk to Richard's Gallery and I visited with Lucie and played on the floor.

After my afternoon nap, however, I was in an absolutely awful mood. The standard 'What's wrong' conversation usually proceeds as follows:

Parent: "What's the problem?"
Clover (crying): "Matter!"
Parent: "What's the matter?"
Clover (crying): "Wrong!"
Parent: "What's wrong?"
Clover (crying): "Clover!"
Parent: "I can see that - what's wrong with Clover?"
Clover (crying): "Crying."
Parent: "Why are you crying?"
Clover (crying): "Matter!"


Etc.


Saturday, May 05, 2007

Noot


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Friday equals groceries! Mommy and Daddy and I drove to the supermarket and bought a lot of stuff... then we went to the video store to rent some movies... then we went to the organic butcher for meat and other stuff... then we went to Starbucks to stock up on coffee... and then we went home. Phew!

I had a pretty great nap, but when I woke up, Daddy was gone, off to another appointment. Mommy and I hung out in the meantime - she did some sewing and embroidery, I did some random destruction. Her shoulder's pretty sore, and I took advantage of her inability to chase after me.

I've been playing a game (almost exclusively) with Daddy that we invented - he sticks out his index finger towards me. I press both my index fingers together at the tip (making a 'v') and I poke his finger with both of mine, and say "noot!" I find this game hilarious.


Friday, May 04, 2007

Taking Nee-Nee to the Zoo


[As transcribed by Daddy]

Mommy and I went to visit Julie and Sarah this morning - we had a nice walk there, and got to meet Lenore and her daughter Lilly. We all had a good time playing with blocks, reading books, and eating muffins.

After Daddy came and got us, I had lunch and my nap, during which my folks worked on the patio outside. Once I woke up, we gathered Nee-Nee and drove out to the zoo! I was quite happy to be there, and had a lot of fun running from animal-to-animal. For some reason, though, the combination of the sun, walking, and rainforest-pavillion-temperatures sapped the will to live from Nee-Nee and my parents.

Mommy and Daddy were so exhausted that we said nuts to making dinner and went out instead.


Thursday, May 03, 2007

I Dig Gravel


[As transcribed by Daddy]

I was a really easy kid to entertain today - all anyone had to do was sit me outside in the huge gravel pit that used to be our patio, and I'm a happy little kid. I dug, raked, scooped, sifted, and displaced tiny pile after tiny pile of gravel. Someone needs to buy me a sandbox, quickly! What a blast! I even wound up with tons of gravel in my diaper. "Gravel in my BUM!" as I would tell me Daddy late in the day.

After my nap, Mommy and Daddy took me for a walk in the beaches, where we also got some coffee and fruit at the market. On the way home, we had a little stop-over to buy more (you guessed it) bags of gravel. Once it was all in place, I helped my parents stamp it down flat, and was repaid for my services in the form of a few footraces, not to mention the macaroni with ketchup for lunch.


Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Um... ...how 'bout... ...I know!


[As transcribed by Daddy]

The things that come out of my mouth sometimes knock my parents out of their chairs. You'd be surprised what little tidbits of vernacular or conversational English I'll pick up here and there and then spit back the odd time (or especially during the perfectly appropriate time). Today it was a combination of "Um..." "...how 'bout..." and "...I know!!!" that had them all laughing for hours.

Didn't have a very busy morning, and after lunch Mommy and Daddy took me for a nice drive around town. I fell asleep in the car, of course, but when I woke up we were at one of my favourite malls. I watched Mommy try on clothes... good times! Mommy made a nice soup for dinner, I had a tub, and went to bed a little early so my parents could go out.

Listening to: Tori Amos - American Doll Posse


Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Straight to the Toy Store


[As transcribed by Daddy]

I got to spend a lot of time outside again today. I played in the dirt pile that once was our backyard patio, and Daddy and I did some more worm-farming, too. Before lunch, I decided to go for a walk... Daddy followed close behind/beside me, and I walked for about forty-five minutes, all by myself... directly to the toy store.

While we were there, I played with some trains and toys and stuff. Daddy tried to get me interested in books and puppets, but I had my eye on some ridiculously expensive Playmobil toys.

Daddy carried me home on his shoulders, and we had lunch. When I woke up from my afternoon nap, Daddy was gone, but in his place was several bags of gravel for the patio.


I'm a happy kid living with my parents and our dog in Toronto. I'm goofy, sweet, smart, extremely chatty, and pretty much the cutest kid on the face of the Earth!