Nessie

The children have been looking at a book from the library about Scotland (because of their evil Aunt's impending move there), and wouldn't you know--they are all fascinated, absolutely fascinated by . . . the Loch Ness Monster. M has drawn all kinds of pictures (and then hidden them, apparently, because I can't find them now) and has spent most of the day on the couch staring at a fuzzy picture purported to be said monster. E keeps coming up with explanations: "I bet someone carved a big log to look like the Loch Ness Monster and put it out there. Do you think maybe it was a rock? When was the last time anyone saw it?" And Tooie vacillates between longing and loathing: "Do you think the 'cotland Monster has TEEF?" "Do 'cotland Monsters EAT people?" "I think when we go to 'cotland the 'cotland Monster will say [funny voice here] 'oh, I think I will go up and visit Tooie and his family.' "

Everyone wants Aunt to be on the look out for the Loch Ness/'cotland Monster when she gets to Scotland. And then, when she locates it, they want to come and visit it themselves. Tooie's last words before he went to sleep tonight went something like this:

"Will the monster stay up and visit us if we are nice to it?"

Mom (distractedly): "um hmm, probably"

Tooie (with lots of spit): "Then I will be EXtra nice to it when I see it."

Tomorrow M is preparing a letter to send to Aunt with a picture of the monster and the instructions, "Look for this monster in the ocean when you are going to Scotland." Marmot Dad is trying to quash their belief in the beast, but I say if Leonard Nimoy suggested that it was real, well, I'm a true believer.