Hold on Tight

Roman's always had a little of the Navin Johnson* tendency to grab and hold tight the most random things. As a baby and toddler he was forever death-gripping something - Hot Wheels, Chapstick, snacks - carrying them all day and through the night.

 

*Steve Martin as Navin Johnson in The Jerk. 

 Please tell me you know the reference or I'll feel ancient.

Some items fared better than others; metal Hot Wheels were no problem. But I don't miss the days of peeling open his sweaty little hand to discover that an hours-old fruit snack had become a food-colored, palm-sized glue ball.

He's better about it now; after all, he needs his hands for big-boy things like riding a trike, swimming and hassling the dog. But that made this morning's Navin grab-and-go behavior especially entertaining:

In his left hand is a bottle of sunscreen, a magnetic bottle opener and a picture of Anthony, Aunt Anna and Cousin Gina (Roman's sweetly inappropriate crush du jour). And in his right, a pretzel stick and a middle finger for his mother.

All useful, sure...but unusual choices when we're headed to the gym.

Anyway, look out, because the getting-rid-of-crap voice of reason is on its way. Angey arrives tomorrow! And, as tradition dictates (two generations running), we'll spend the better, funnier part of an afternoon going through my closets to answer "have you worn this in the past year?!" and "did this belong to Phoebe on Friends?!"

I should probably notify the local DAV that a hefty, dated clothing donation is on its way.

So, to Angey: I can't wait to see you. To the DAV guy: please don't also give me the middle finger. To Wichitans who need clothing and accessories from the early 2000s: you're welcome.