Ninjago With A Special Guest

So we took B to go see Ninjago, The LEGO movie a couple of weeks ago, and by we, I mean Cary, myself, my dad, and...my grandfather.

Odd combination, right?

At the last minute, my mom decided she wanted to stay home and rest (work has been a real beating for at least 3 out of 4 of us lately), but my dad mentioned that my Grandpa J wanted to join us.

Of course, I was completely baffled. Why would an 80-something-year-old man want to see a LEGO movie?

Who am I to judge, right? But of course, I had to ask. So when we get to the theater, it's one of the first things I ask.

Me: You know what we're seeing, right?
G: It's the LEGO movie, right?
Me: Yes, sir.
G: That's fine with me. It's better than staying home alone on a Friday night.
Me: (shrugs) Well...good luck...

I love this particular movie theater mostly because you have reserved seats and can recline the nice, leather (faux leather?) and really get comfortable. But because we purchased the tickets so late, it meant that C and I had to sit one row above my dad, grandfather, and B. But, no one was going to do any talking, so I guess it really didn't matter anyways. I mean, we got to recline!

After the movie, I couldn't wait to see my grandfather again to ask him what he thought. If you've seen any of the LEGO movies, you know they are a bit bizarre. And I don't think Grandpa expected it to be anything like it was.

He had the most baffled look on his face. He shook his head and said, "I don't know what I just saw". 

We got a big laugh out of it, and he looked as though he found the whole thing to be funny...and I'm sure he now knows why I was so curious as to why he chose to see this movie with us out of all that are available.

But B loved seeing him, sitting next to him in the theater, and just spending time with him. I hope he felt the same about her. It was rare for us growing up to see my grandfather that often, not because of anything more than busy lives and distance. But words can't exactly describe what it meant to me to get that little bit of time with him, and to now have this amazing, funny memory.

What Have We Gotten Ourselves Into?

Anyone else concerned about the Antpocalypse that is coming to the McFadden household?

Feeding her ant fascination

Fisheroni

Let me tell you about this fish.

Four years ago (maybe it was 3, but that doesn't seem right, either), just after we moved back from Maine, Cary had the urge to get a pet fish. So, we went to a local pet store and bought the bowl, rocks, food, and a Beta. We named him David Schwimmer.

B's daycare was having their end-of-summer carnival the week after we got Schwimmer, and when I picked her up that afternoon, B was so excited. She wanted to show me her pet fish, and ran over to grab a plastic sandwich bag. Already the poor fish had such little water to swim around in, but even more so, she was pinching the bag to try to stop the poor fish from moving around. I could tell that he was already traumatized, and I don't blame him. He was millimeters away from being squished to death by a 3 or 4 year old...try explaining that to her if it happened. So, immediately, I took the poor fish away and texted Cary to go back to the petstore and get another tank.

I was amazed that Fisheroni not only survived, but he has thrived. 3 (4?) years later, he's beautiful and big. His tail is amazingly big, and the best part, he's not as afraid of us when we go to feed him and even socializes a little (until he gets his food. Then we are nothing to him). Unfortunately after losing Chester earlier this year, he is our only pet, and I'm shocked that he still looks so good when I've heard that fish typically don't live too long.

It's my goal to get him to such an age that we have to give him a small cane to help him get around.

Ready to start the new school year

A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On

My Glimpse Of The Solar Eclipse 2017

2nd Grade, Good Luck!

My Current Obsession

Sloths!!!

Lately, I've been obsessing over sloths. I don't know why, but they are suddenly all I want to focus on. And they are so cute! I knew of a 3-toed sloth at the Dallas World Aquarium, but on a day I was really aching to see one closer (and you don't have to spend $50 a person to visit), I looked up online if there were any in the area. Imagine my surprise when I found one...just a few blocks away.

Her name is Sandy, and there's even a fan club for her. I couldn't justify spending the money to be in this fan club (because let's face it, times are tight, and there are things I need to spend that money on -- like food). But Cary was nice enough to take us by the pet store so we could see her. She even woke up and stretched while we were watching her!!!Do you think she knows how cute she is?!?!?Oh Sandy, be my best friend. Please?Psst - here's the link for the fan club.

11 Years Old All Over Again

There may or may not be a bird underneath this seat

It got in while Cary was changing the lightbulb in his car (he had the windows down for it to air out). 

Sneaky little thing peeped while we were driving to the theater, so we stopped at a gas station. I thought Cary McFadden was going to have to rip out the seats. Finally a young, disheveled mockingbird popped out of the seat and it was chaos while I debated on grabbing him or taking a picture. I couldn't reach him, but Cary could. It was a masterful fling out of the car while a couple of guys watched and wondered what we were doing. 

The bird ran off, and I'm relieved we were able to get him out!