Chet says that I'm cruel. I try to explain that I am "strict" but not cruel. Cruel implies I take glee in punishing them. He still insists that I"m cruel. Of course whenever he goes on about my cruelty Ava makes a point of telling me how wonderful I am and that I'm the nicest daddy in the world...until she doesn't get exactly what she wants and then she cries and Chet laughs.

So the times when they are both in the same mood I relish. And to be honest they often are. After seeing Mr. Maggorium's Wonder Emporium (it begins wonderfully, is worth seeing, however the ending is lazy and dumb.) the kids rambled down the sidewalk, Ava holding Chet by the hood because he was her horsey. I just love how they love each other.

Ava is 9, Chet 6 and they still take a bath together every Sunday. I told Chet that pretty soon Ava won't want to anymore and he looked devastated. Naked is his favorite state. He flops around his bed with his balls hanging out and I explained to him that his sister didn't need the show. He explained that parents are used to seeing their kids naked. I concurred but said his sister was different and the babysitters could be spared the show as well. He is so cute though, as skinny and busy as a spider.