Blast Off

Awhile back, we were at the toy store buying birthday presents. C spotted the Marky Sparky Blast Pad Advanced Missile Launch System and has been obsessing over it ever since. Like he does. On many occasions.

Anyhow, we had to go back to the toy store over the weekend and went while H was at soccer. Just the two of us. And as soon as I mentioned we were going there, he brought up the rocket toy again and how he just had to have it.

Now, we really don't buy our kid's a lot of stuff, but they are not deprived by any means. Unless you are looking at the picture above and notice the holes in H's pants. Then you might think I'm lying and that they truly are lacking in some basic necessities. But not really. Those just happen to be his favorite pants -- believe you me, they are on their way out the door. Very soon.

Back to Blast Pad. C wanted this thing so bad, so I told him he could have it -- if he bought it himself. So he did (after I lectured him on how he could be saving his money for a car when he's older, or spending it on toys now -- he obviously picked the now). He got money out of his piggy bank and paid me back. And I took it, because no way am I giving in. No way. So far they seem to be having a great time with it. Hopefully the trade-off was worth it. In any case, C is very proud of his new purchase.

The Lego House that H Built

Here's C, taking credit for the Lego Beach House that H built. It's actually really amazing. Inside, there's a café, complete with rotisserie chicken oven. (It's one of three designs you can make). H could spend all day making these things.

It's Raining So We Went to the Museum of Science and Industry

Unfair

Storm has the most beautiful coat of fur -- it almost looks like suede. He also has very short hair and is very muscular, so you can see any sort of lump or bump he might have. He has had a little lump on his leg since the middle of summer. We got it checked around the holidays, and it was fine. But it still isn't going away so we took him back to the vet today. The good news is, it doesn't appear to be cancer. The bad news, is there are some abnormal cells that could morph into something bad, so we need to get it removed and biopsied to make sure. Besides the initial shock of the crazy enormous vet bill we are about to have to pay, of course I'm now completely worried about him. I really hope everything is ok, poor guy.

In the Classroom

Tonight is the night that is always one of my favorites at C's Montessori school -- Parent Child Night. For one hour, we get to go into the classroom and sit down with our children while they show us some of their favorite works. C spent most of the time writing down his numbers to 100, but he also showed us word boxes, spiral cutting and pouring. It's always fun to see how they've progressed since last year.

Dog Mustache

I'm sorry, but this is really funny. (Originally seen via Swiss Miss. Purchase here.)

Hard at Work

This is my MousePath for 4.5 hours of work today. The tracks show movements, and the circles are when the pointer didn't move. Doesn't it make life in my cubicle look interesting? You can download the application here.

I Could See Living Here

I love the white, wood and openess of this lovely brownstone. (Originally seen on Design*Sponge. Photos by Emily Gilbert).

Foggy Night

Weekend at Home

Here's H, relaxing in his room. He even put the "Enter, do not" sign up. I think we all needed a bit of piece and quiet this weekend. Oh, it was still busy. There was a bowling birthday party for C. He ended up not wanting to stay so we went grocery shopping, then went back to the party to pick up his friend who was coming over for a play date. There was the mall, where I caved and got a new phone. Finally. There was another batch of macarons gone wrong. Thankfully they still taste good, but they were pretty disastrous. I'm going to master these things yet. Also this weekend, I finally made it to the gym for the first time since July to go swimming. Today, I went on a 5.375 mile run. It seems to me that we really haven't had a lot of weekends when we are at home -- all four of us. It felt good. And now, it's time for me to snuggle up on the couch and finish watching the Academy Awards.

Art by C: Robot

Art by C: Princess

The detail leads a little to be desired. But I particularly like the hennin. And yes, I did have google "cone shaped princess crown" to find out it's called a hennin.

Yum

I ate this yogurt yesterday. I'm still thinking about it today. It was that good. True, it has 17 grams of fat (and, no, I probably would not have bought it had I checked before hand). But it was delicious. Kind of like eating a big scoop of coconut ice-cream for a snack. (Purchased at Whole Foods).

Art by C: Hearts