Mer and I did the whirl-wind tour to South Bend and back this last weekend. We went out to see Sis-der, Prof. Dad, and of course, the World’s Cutest Niece (WCN).
The trip out was uneventful. It takes about 4.5 hours to get to Sis-der’s house when we leave from CVCA (including one supper stop). For good measure, we threw in a bonus Dairy Queen stop just over the Indiana line, and then we managed to miss our exit, which resulted in a 20-minute delay. So, we got to Sis-der’s house about 10:00 or so, and after quiet greetings (the WCN was in bed), we all rambled off to go to sleep.

Saturday was a nice, sunny day. Mer and I slept in until about 8:30, and as good fortune would have it, so did the WCN. Prof. Dad had to put in some office time, and had an appointment as well, so he left shortly after I got up and had showered. While Mer got ready for the day, I took the opportunity to throw some Maura O’Connell on the stereo and danced WCN around the room. WCN then headed off to take a nap (taking after Uncle Mu!).

Since our friends who live in South Bend, Gen and Dan, were coming over to visit, and since it was St. Patrick’s day, Sis-der made soda bread while I watched her and listened to Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me on the radio (a favorite Saturday pastime of mine). Mer joined us about 1/3 of the way into Wait, Wait.

Sis-der offered to take us to a museum, so we decided to go to the Healthwork’s Children’s Museum once Sammy was up. We got Sammy bundled to go, and we took the short drive to downtown South Bend. We parked in a parking garage and walked to the museum, where we were greeted by a large human heart. I was taking a liking to this place….

The museum is dedicated to teaching kids about how the body works, and they don’t shy away from some of the more disturbing things. I beat Mer in a quiz (by one question) on “grossology” that included questions about snot and sweat and such. There was a climbing wall made to look like skin, including a very large skin mite bug thing. There was a computer program that asked you about you (height, fingerprint style, eye color, etc.). The WCN was looking rather worried by an entire wall of intestines.

My clear favorite was this picture of just the eyes and the brain. How much more 50s monster movie can you get? It reminded me of the optometrist sign in The Great Gatsby.

After about 45 minutes in the museum, it was time for the WCN to eat. So, Sis-der FORCED us to go to the downtown South Bend Chocolate Cafe. What a wonderful store. Not only was it a very nice and comfortable cafe, but it had lots and lots and lots of chocolate. I did have a real sandwich first, but then I had a very good turtle cheesecake, washed down by a dark hot chocolate. I was feeling pretty queasy then. Next time I go, I will have to try the Chocolate Explosion cake – it is the biggest piece of cake I have ever seen – it was between 10 and 12 inches high, and they were not shy about cutting it rather large (which is good, since it costs $10 per slice).

Since lunch was so exhausting, we went back home, where WCN and I decided to take naps. Once I got up from my nap, I watched WCN and Prof. Dad play in the “Playpen of Wonder” (it’s all in the marketing) until it got close to WCN’s bedtime. About that time, Gen and Dan came over for supper. Sis-der and Prof. Dad had made a very good meal of chicken and soda bread and a potato/cauliflower dish. Dessert was a light cake, made heavy by a good portion of chocolate ice cream. It was great to see Dan and Gen – they are funny and interesting people. It always makes me think when I am at a table with two doctors, two lawyers, an English teacher with a Masters degree, and me. At least for now, I have more education than the WCN!

After I was done eating, I excused myself to the much more comfortable couch. I have some back issues, and I do not like sitting in wooden chairs for longer than I need to. I finished the evening by reading most of Shaw’s Pygmalion, while listening to the conversation in the dining room (the adjoining room).

Sadly, Mer and I had to leave on Sunday morning, but the weather was good, and we made it home in almost 5 hours on the dot. We still hope to get back to see WCN and company about once a month.