ALCOHOL
I spent the better part of this morning (wait, why am I saying that it was the better part of my morning?) trying to get permanent marker out of Jared's bedroom carpet. I came down from my shower to find a permanent marker, sans lid, sitting on the kitchen floor. After a quick Spanish-style Inquisition, I found the culprit (Zach) and the location of the damage.
Rubbing alcohol lightened it, but stopped pulling up the stain when there was still plenty left on the carpet. So I tried hand sanitizer. It contains the same alcohol, but for some reason, it lightened it quite a bit more. Maybe because it's a gel and sat on the ink longer. I dunno.
Of course, this led to a lengthy discussion with Jared about water-based vs. alcohol-based ink, dissolving things, and why water doesn't dissolve alcohol-based ink. Jared says he wishes alcohol didn't have to smell so bad. I hope it airs out before bedtime, because it really does smell pretty strong in his room!
I'm worried, because the stain is still quite obvious. And it's not like we can just live with it, we'll be out of this rental in a month, and will get charged $$ if I don't get it out!

I was justifiably upset with Zach for the work he caused, but he just about does me in with his latest sweetness. He just run up to hug me and said, "Mom, you da BEST!" I don't know where he learns these sayings from, but it sure is cute!