Adventures in Babysitting

 Nicholas and Scot-Michael had agreed to babysit Curly at the Portland Sasha Festival.  His reputation for being a handful was in no danger of being exaggerated.

The initial introduction was a bit underwhelming...

Nicholas Sahara: Hello, little chap!  My name is Nicholas!

Scot-Michael: And I'm Scot-Michael.

Curly: ???

Nicholas: What?  Where did he go?  Our backs were turned for only a second!

Scot-Michael: How does he do that?

He only wanted to ride the merry-go-round!

Curly: Crrsll!

Nicholas: CURLY NO!!

Scot-Michael: Time to break out the big guns.  

Curly!  We have a present for you!

Curly: Wsskyy!

Nicholas: And we're okay with this, are we?

Scot-Michael: Auntie Diane said it was his favorite!

Nicholas: Oh, crumbs...

Nicholas: Not again!

Scot-Michael: HOW does he do that?!?!

Nicholas: Great Richard the III's ghost!

Curly: >Squeeeeeeeee!!!<

Scot-Michael: Did he fly up there?!?!

Scot-Michael: Okay, pillows in position.

Nicholas: Auntie Diane is going to have our guts for garters...

Scot-Michael: Jump, Curly!

Nicholas: >Whew< A soft landing.

Alright, lad, I'll help you down.

Scot-Michael: LOOK OUT!

Curly: Bonk!

Nicholas: >Ooooof<

Scot-Michael: Nickles, are you okay?!?

Nicholas: Oh my giddy aunt, that gavel packs quite a scallop.

Scot-Michael: Wallop.  Sure you're okay?

Fortunately, his shenanigans have tired Curly out and it's nap time...

Nicholas: Aww, he looks like a wee angel.

Scot-Michael: >Hmph< Only when his eyes are closed.

Scot-Michael: He's out.  Our turn for whiskey.

Nicholas: Scout!

Things are a bit calmer after a little snooze.

Nicholas: Well, Curly, Auntie Diane is here to collect you.

Scot-Michael: >Hmph< And not a moment too soon.

Nicholas: Scout!

Curly: Bye-bye Ncklls >smack< 💗

Nicholas: Oh!  What a nice lad.

Curly: Bye-bye Sktt. >smack< 💗

Scot-Michael: Bye-bye, Curly.  Be a good boy!

One last family portrait.

Festival Preparations, Final

After consulting with Nanny Wendy on babysitting Curly (Patience! Attitude! ESP! Agility!),    Nicholas Sahara and Scot-Michael are ready for their Festival debut.  

Pete Dakota:  Packing all your clothes?

Scot-Michael: Just folding the essentials right now.

Pete: Um, you sure have a lot of socks.  

Scot-Michael: Oh, that's Nicholas.  He's got a whole thing about having plenty--

there's some sort of superstition back in his home country about travel and socks.

Pete: Here, I brought my comics so you have something to read on the flight.

Scot-Michael: Thanks, Pete!  That's awfully swell of you!

Pete: Just remember to bring them back.

Scot-Michael: Ha-ha!  Will do, boss.

Other siblings have been just as helpful...

Uli: Here is lunchbox of snacks for plane ride.

Nicholas Sahara: Aren't you the thoughtful bird!

But surely the airplane will have --

Uli: Nein!  Airline food no good.  My homemade snacks much better.

While others have been of, er, less than beneficial assistance...

Frank: I know!  Why don't we get some donuts, you toss them at me, 

and we'll see how many I can catch in my mouth?

Nicholas: Er, Franklin, how is that to aide us with our agility exercise?

Frank: Your what now?

Later...

Scot-Michael: >Whew< I'm exhausted.  I found my camera, too!

We'll want to document the whole trip; good and bad.

Nicholas: And we've still to get Curly's gift.

Denali: >Whine<

Nicholas: Sorry, old girl, we can't take you with us.

Scot-Michael: Besides, you've got to watch over Pete while we're gone!

Denali: Boof!

And back in England...

Auntie Diane: Curly!  You sit up nicely now.

Curly: Thbbbbbbpppppptttttt  😝

Auntie Diane: Your American cousins Nicholas and Scot-Michael will be 

looking after you at the Festival.  You WILL be on your best behaviour--

Curly: Nah! 😈

Auntie Diane: --or they won't bring you a present!

Curly: Wsky?!  😇

STAY TUNED NEXT WEEK FOR FESTIVAL REPORTS and  

NICHOLAS & SCOT-MICHAEL'S ADVENTURES IN BABYSITTING!

The French Revolution

Yesterday, the French kids of Gregoropolis organized a little party to celebrate Bastille Day.

Emile: Uli, do you need assistance with ze crepes?

Uli: Nein.  You do know we do have crepes in Germany, too.

Now leave kitchen, bitte.

Lottie: Ze ribbons are très belle!

Louisette: Oui, and I bought zem on sale.  Zey were leftovers from ze Quatre Julliet.

Emile: Everything ees perfect!  Now we just need zome traditional musique française.

Lulu: Edith Piaf?!?

Emile: My dear, she ees a national treasure!

Lulu: Perhaps eef one ees 80 years old!

Lottie: Lulu et moi 'ave already selected la musique.

Emile: Duran Duran ?!? Zat ees NOT French!

Lulu: Oh really? And I zuppoze you think Simon LeBon is Chinese!?!

Emile: 'E ees anglais!

Lulu: Ees not!

Emile: Ees so!

Lulu: Ees not!

Emile: Ees so!

Lulu: Non!

Emile: Oui!

Lulu: Non!

Emile: Oui!

Both: Grrrrrrrrr...

Louisette: Come, mes amis, can we not compromise?  Sacha Distel, perhaps?

Emile: Hmmmpf!

Lulu: Hmmmpf!

Lulu: I can zee 'ow ze revolution started.

If 'e 'ad been king, I would 'ave wanted to cut off 'ees 'ead too!

Festival Preparations, Part 2

Nicholas Sahara: Ah, Wendolyn, here you are.  Just the lass we're looking for.

Scot-Michael: Hi Nanny Wendy.

Nanny Wendy: Hello boys, what can I help you with today?

Nicholas: As you know, we're to accompany Daddy John to that delightful festival in Portland.  

We've been asked to look after one of the younger lads one evening whilst there.

Nanny Wendy:  Oh?  Ah, and you've come to me for babysitting advice and tips.

Who will you be watching?

Scot-Michael: Er, well, it's Curly.

Nanny Wendy: Curly?  Oh dear. 

Mikey, don't bonk your brother on the head.

Mikey: Okay.

Nanny Wendy: Thank you sweetie.  You're such a good boy.

Baby Conor: Bah!

Nanny Wendy: Yes, Conor, you're a good boy too.

Nanny Wendy: I've heard Curly can be a handful.

Nicholas: Quite.  He has a bit of a... rambunctious...reputation.

Scot-Michael: Hold it!  How did you catch Mikey?!  You weren't even looking at him!

Nanny Wendy: Well, boys, I'll tell you.  It's 75% patience, 10% attitude, and 15% ESP.

Although, you two may want to add agility into the mix.  I know how Curly likes to swing

that gavel around.  I recommend stretching exercises a few days before.

Nicholas: Wendolyn my dear, you truly are the font of all knowledge.

Scot-Michael: He means you rock, Nanny Wendy.

Nanny Wendy: Well, thank you, boys!  I'm sure you'll do great.

Conor: Bonk!

Nicholas: Great Richard the III's ghost!  

What have we gotten ourselves into, Scout?

Scot-Michael: Dunno, Nickels, but you heard The Font.

Patience! Attitude!  ESP!

Both: Agility!  >Gulp<

TO BE CONTINUED...

Festival Preparations, Part 1

Daddy John:  Nicholas Sahara and Scot-Michael have decided they will accompany me to the Sasha Festival in July.  However, we have an important chore to attend to before arriving in Portland...

Nicholas: What did he say?!

Scot-Michael: I'm not sure I heard him correctly, either.

Nicholas: We're to purchase a what?!?

Scot-Michael: For who?!?

Meanwhile, in Merrie Olde...

Auntie Diane: Curly, are your ears burning?  

I think someone in the States is talking about you!

TO BE CONTINUED!