So just a few quick comments:
---ellcee, Sunday strips are not continuity, so Merrie's cast went the way of Liz's leg brace back in January.
---Anyone IRL would say to Merrie, "You know where the faucet is, right?...Can you turn it on or do you want me to show you?" and like that. Noone, especially not a GRANDmother, would take it for granted that a 2 1/2 year old knew what they were doing.
---I think 8th grade graduation is a pretty big deal. Way back in the day, 8th was as far as many people went. My grandma, for instance.
---Anon, good analysis of the P's pet history.