Not screaming. Pomegranates

Kid appreciation #1

RantWoman was at the most wonderful holiday party. There were many small kids there. A few of them were doing some kind of well-contained bouncy thing on a couch. All of them were cheerful. None of them were screaming. It was BEAUTIFUL, and Rantwoman was delighted to realize she has already met some of the parents.

RantWoman was offered a ride home before the kids started getting tired.

(insert big smilie emojis)

Kid appreciation #2: Pomegranates

Irrepressible Nephew turned 17 this week.

Auntie RantWoman supplied the customary pomegranate for the occasion.

Long ago when Irrepressible Nephew was considerably smaller than his gurren 6'4" Auntie RantWoman rebelled against the mountains of plastic toys piling up at Little Sister's house after gift-giving occasions. RantWoman wanted to supply experience. RantWoman chose...peeling a pomegranate.

Irrepressible Nephew thought this was great fun. So did Auntie RantWoman. Bad Auntie! Think pomegranate juice drips. Think carpet in rental apartment. Little Sister did not think this was fun.

Oops.

Came round another gift-giving occasion. RantWoman bought another pomegranate. Little sister raced for some newspaper to catch the pomegranate drips. The household lived in that apartment long enough that the pomegranate drips fell under "normal wear and tear."

This year, family gathered at Little Sister's. Little Sister was out procuring food when RantWoman arrived. RantMom did not understand the point of giving the gift early for "appetizer."  Irrepressible Nephew received his gift with great gratitude, peeled it over the sink and shared with RantWoman! Yeah Kid.