Grandma Whee and Aunt Arlene came from New York Thursday afternoon to be Simonized. Simon was so excited to see them that he wanted nothing more than for "G'ma Whee" and "Ar-ene" to lay down on the carpet to play, climb into his tent (which he calls his "bus" or his "car"), sit at his small table and make pretend "pea'budder san-i-ches." An outsider seeing Simon for the first time Thursday evening might have described him as hyper-active. Friday morning he went to the park with Daddy and stepped on a little girl's fingers and slapped her when she tried to climb and slide on the play structure. We're still working on his tendency to hit other kids when they get too close to the objects of his desire. He has been better in school. Last week his teachers were very pleased when he told a boy to "Stop it! Stop touching that!" instead of hitting the boy's hand.

After being hastily removed from the park, Simon was taken to his usual Friday French class. After the class he ran over to the instructor, put both of his hands on her cheeks, kissed her several times on the lips, and sat down on her lap. After lunch and nap, Simon, Grandma Whee, Aunt Arlene, and Matthew met Hava in the Loop for some spectacular Tall Ship viewing. Simon enjoyed walking onto the ships with Matthew; he rang a bell, tried to steer, and would have jumped overboard if Matthew had let him. We ended up at Navy Pier where Simon was given his first train set.

Saturday we indulged Grandma Whee's desire for Simon to own every toy on the planet by taking her to a toy store with Simon in tow. Here is where Simon really hit it big by getting his very own Bob the Builder Lego set.

Can we build it? YES WE CAN! (Even without pants.)

Later Saturday evening we took Simon and Grandma Whee out to dinner at Heaven on Seven. And here is where we are happy to be able to report that he was happy and sweet and wonderful all evening - for more than an hour in the high chair. He also ate more than we have ever seen. Now Simon is usually not a light eater but last night he was unstoppable - three large slices of bread with honey butter, three or four large steamed carrots, most of a large peach, a grilled cheese sandwich that was larger than his head, a couple of Tater Tots, and half of an ice cream sandwich. In case any of you are wondering where he manages to put that much food, let's just say that what goes in must come out and fill more than a couple of diapers. (Sorry non-currently-baby-having folks, we know how sensitive you are about poop stories.)

Simon was very sad to learn that Grandma Whee and Aunt Arlene we're leaving this morning. Hava took him out for "hot coffee" once they left to brighten his mood.