And the New (Solo) Pick Up

When it's possible, Julie likes to pick up Ted on her way back across the river so we can pick Joe and Clara up together. This week, it hasn't worked out, so Julie has done pick up on her own. She used to collect Clara and then go collect Joe, but when Ted picked them up solo when Julie was sick, he did the reverse. So Julie tried that and it was a revelation! So now, she goes to get Joe who barrels into her for hugs, and then wrestles himself into his coat, hat, and mittens (Julie assists only with starting the zipper, fastening the hat, and helping Joe get his thumbs in the thumb pocket but only if requested). Then, we go to find Clara. Once we have, Joe tears in and right over to her and plops himself down and starts giving her toys. It's very sweet. Clara is wrestled (for real--it's a wresting match with Flips McGee) into her puffy and then off we go! Joe carries the red basket with the bottles and other school detritus in it, and Julie carries Clara. Once we get to the car, Joe is instructed to wait by the car and told, "Don't move a muscle!" He then repeats this in a super loud voice. Julie's heart remains in her throat until she can get Clara buckled in, but actually, Joe really doesn't move a muscle! Once Joe is in, we head for home! Lately, we've been listening to the Sandra Boynton Philadelphia Chickens album. Joe knows some of the words to "Cows," and it's kind of a kick when he sings along.