Thanks to everyone for the compliments on Rosetta. She is pretty darned adorable.
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"Kid really likes baths," Daddy was saying. "Like, wants them every three seconds. I think she might be a bit ... obsessed. With hygiene, I mean."
"Well, there are worse things to be obsessed with Daddy."
"Good thing your mother likes doing it so much."
Baths weren't the only thing my little girl seems to have enthusiasm for. Her little brain is so hungry for information that she's constantly either at the peg box or begging for a story. The peg box, when it gets the best of her, brings on the cutest frustration tantrums.
Look at that pout! Good thing Grandpa Ed was around to help her out. She maxed it in one sitting.
Mom, being a bookworm, loves doing the stories with her. They've worked through about seven toddler books so far, already.
A little toddler running around, as well as seven adults really has put a strain on our little cottage, though. We decided to jump headfirst into the rebuild before Rosetta ages up - insane as that may sound. Daddy tucked her in last night and said, "Sleep tight, Rosebud. Tomorrow we get a brand new house!"
"House, grampa," she said, then immediately passed out into a blissful slumber.
We had to tear out Carlotta's greenhouse, which means her remaining plants were lost. There weren't that many left, but there was still a good deal of guilt about it. On our last day in the house, both Ophelia and I aged up. No midlife crises, thank goodness.
No matter, if this house ever gives birth to a gardener, she will have the most famous greenhouse in Monte Vista at her fingertips - we've created an all weather solution by putting one smack in the middle of our home in place of a courtyard. Eventually a pool and rec area will go in there, but if someone wants to start another garden, it is ready for them.
Anyway, the build is done. Take a look at this beast.
Right now only the ground floor is furnished and painted. And, even that isn't done very well. We were so exhausted by the rebuild and design that we just threw up what was necessary so we could pass out.
"Rosebud, do you want to see your new nursery?" Daddy asked, scooping her up.
"Bath, grandpa."
"Again with the bath?"
"Clean, grandpa. Bath."
"Yes, yes, I hear you, kid."
"Better?"
"Now book."
"Rosebud, I'm sleepy."
"Grandpa, we learn. Book."
"I used to be a strong man, you know."
The basement has been put in and we're in the process of moving the museum down there. Here's my area.
Notice my art ribbon. I've supermaxed painting and hit level 10 of the painter career! Not bad for someone who isn't yet an elder! Now I'm going to play with sculpting, I think. Daddy should be able to tutor me.
Our first morning in the new house was Rosetta's birthday.
"Granny, I want to be a fairy," she said.
"You'll be a child, Rosebud. That's just as good."
"No wings?"
"We'll make you some."
"Okay, granny."
We cheered and carried on while she sparkled.
Perhaps due to that little fairy exchange prior to the cake, she aged up a Supernatural Fan. Perhaps fascination with the Other is a symptom of her genius. All those books, however, did a bit of a number on her eyes, so we had to get her glasses. She's still an adorable little thing.
For the first room that got any effort in this house, we renovated the nursery into a child genius's bedroom. We'd only intended to get her the chemistry set and maybe a chess table, but she begged and begged for an alchemy station too. She can't use it until she's a teen, but what harm could it do?
She seems particularly attached to her new telescope. She tells me that it makes her feel like she's floating through the universe, meeting the stars and shaking their fiery hands.
She is a remarkable child. Unfortunately her first day as one came with a fair share of drama. First her Daddy aged up with a hilariously bad afro.
Aw, Goop. You're old now. He looked better after a trip to the stylist.
Daddy and I worked on getting her museum pieces set up and got her room started downstairs. Mom's room was set up as well.
But, then Grim paid us a visit. Which is strange, because no one saw him. Ed just stood up, ghosted, and left. No interaction with the reaper at all. It seemed peaceful.
He was 104. Goopy had an idea to devote some of the basement space as a mausoleum to his parents, so that's just what we did. Carlotta's remains had been kept in the green house prior to the rebuild and she'd never once come to visit us. Perhaps she'd be happier here.
When Goopy and I were setting it up, he began to chuckle, spotting that small photo there on the right. I took it down and got a good look at it. It's funny, I can barely remember taking it, but oh how sweet the memory was. A quick, carefree break from immortal responsibilities. Our parents dancing and skating and having fun.
I imagine Carlotta liked the dedication. The night her husband died was also the first night her spirit made an appearance. She spent most of the evening wandering through the museum rooms, but she spent the most time in Mom's. I think she misses her. I've decided that I'm going to put some rocking chairs down there, just in case she visits again.
