9:30 PM CST Update:
All of them went home at 7:30 or so. There was wailing and gnashing of teeth with the youngest two over leaving. They desperately wanted to stay - and who wouldn't? Jeanie is a rockstar.
She had the two year old all day, which means a complete day of fun. They went to Kohls this morning for some returns. JoJo (the two year old) was in the toy department gazing in wonderment, which had to be stupid-cute in and of itself.
I'm told that after a half hour or so, Jeanie says, "are you ready to go to Gigi's?"
"No". More gazing as only a toddler can. More wonderment.
"Are you ready to go to Gigi's, JoJo? We'll get snacks and watch a cartoon"
"No". Goes back to the toys.
"If we go home, we can see G-pa."
"Go see G-pa". Reaches up to hold Jeanie's hand and heads for the door.
Better than cartoons? Be assured, friends - I'm not all that special.
When one of the little ones is being watched by Jeanie - in the afternoon, they wait by the window on a stool until I come home. No matter how bad the day was, or how cold and miserable I am, I'm immediately happy and content when I see them jumping up and down in the window because, what? I'm here? I'm a grumpy old pipefitter. To them, I'm Santa Claus, come down to Morton. My 3 year old grandson in Denver actually calls me Santa. How awesome is that?
If you think you know what you're missing, and prefer a solitary life of "not being tied down", all I can say is that I really do pity you.
These little people are pure unalloyed joy.