Uncle Ducky

We have not one, but two sets of Dylan's grandparents currently gallivanting around the world right now (Singapore is apparently the destination of choice). Only one set, however, has managed to set up a blog, which is now featured in the links to your right.

The following post was originally written by Aaron, who was kindly trying to help save me time because I am spending most days trying not to hyperventilate about how much work I need to do right now. Sadly I can't help myself and subjected it to heavy editing (It's MY SPECIAL BLOG), so it is really a collaborative effort. So blame neither one of us in particular if it is not to your liking.

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Zach, the baby in the Blumkin family [sorry Dylan he beat you to it], rode down with us to NJ. It was our plan to have him babysit Dylan while we went to the wedding. This was a weekend he had long been waiting for, as I'm certain he dreams of being a nanny someday. However, his excitement dissipated once he turned to look at Dylan, as we entered Pennsylvania, and she happily cried out "JOSH." I believe his words were, "Like every other woman in my life, she breaks my heart." Advantage Josh.

Once we got into NJ, Nana took over babysitting responsibilities and proceeded to porter Dylan around the hotel on the bellman's trolley. My daughter the valise. I know that Nana showed Dylan off to all of her friends in the hotel, and I'm sure that the rest of the fourth floor guests were happy to meet her as well.

When the wedding started, Zach was left to care for and corrupt Dylan all by himself. At the pool he impressively coaxed his young ward to dangle her feet in the water (seriously, this is impressive. she is TERRIFIED of pools). Unfortunately, once in the pool she became afraid of non-pool, and decided it was best to no longer come in contact with the ground if at all possible. This requires some contortion.

Some readers may have witnessed what has been termed the "traditional father-offspring call and response" that Aaron and Dylan do where they take terms saying each other's names in singsongy voices until one of them passes out. Sometimes they allow other people to participate, but only if they have two syllables in their name. Luckily Mommy, Daddy, Dylan, and Snuffy are all in the clear, but not so for Zach. With an added -y on the end and an inability to pronounce Z's, Ducky it was.

The day after the wedding Zach popped his head into the webcam while I was Skyping with Dylan from Boston. He was treated to an entrusted "DUCK." Also, sometimes duck can mean truck and sometimes it can mean duck. It is like shalom in that way, except shalom means hello, goodbye, and truck. Later that evening, Dylan Skyped her uncle Tom, who was meet with an enthusiastic "TOM." Although her last uncle (unless Annie has become engaged to a nice Moroccan gentleman without my knowledge), Josh, was not available, when showed a picture of him on the computer Dylan tried to talk to it by yelling, "DUCK." Advantage Zach. I guess he deserves it for allowing himself to be decorated, although there was some retaliatory stickering of Dylan reported.