Ice Cream...for Breakfast!

For the past three days, Alex has been battling his cold. The poor little guy even has eyes that are so runny, his eyelashes can get sealed together. Needless to say, he has litte appetite these days.

So, today he got a special treat. Ice Cream, for breakfast. He finally ate one this morning.

Hope he doesn't expect it tomorrow.

Thursday, February 24

Alex the Gift Giver

Mommy's birthday is next week. Daddy and Alex want to get her a nice present. Alex wanted to know what TOYS Mommy would like.

"What toy should I want for my birthday, Alex?"
"A stormtrooper!"
"For me to keep?"
"Yeah! And then we can share!"

Hmmm, seems Alex's gift giving skills need some work. I reminded him that Daddy had given me a wonderful toy that I loved - the photo printer he'd given me for Christmas. Alex had other ideas.

"That's not a toy. That's a tool! You don't play with electricity!"

Oh, that's right. OK. Good thinking Alex. So, Mommy showed them a bedspread from the Seventh Avenue catalogue that she had liked. It's a velvet patchwork of several jewel tones - all bright and loud and wonderful. I mentioned that Daddy doesn't like it too much, but that I loved it.

Alex asked to see the photo up close. After consideration he said "I don't like it either."

Stormtrooper it is, I guess.

Sunday, February 13

A Not So Happy Vacation

My Aunt Joy passed away this week.  She's to be cremated and her ashes interred in Green-wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.  I had hoped to turn it around, like Aunt Joy would have liked.
The trip to the funeral home in Brooklyn and to Green-Wood Cemetery is a long one.  I'd prefer to not have to make it twice in as many days.  I booked a hotel in nearby Borough Park; an easy reach by subway, if a little hot on the D train.  It was great to be back in Brooklyn, even if it was for somber event.  The hotel was a pleasant one, with a nearby kosher deli at which Alex and I splurged.  I had the schnitzel sandwich and Alex had the French fries - an order he said he won't be making again there.  Dan took the train there straight from work and met us at the hotel. 
At my mom's insistence, Ellen came to pick us up at the deli.  Driving down 13th Avenue made me really homesick, even though I hadn't grown up in Borough Park.  I missed streets and avenues lined with small stores like this.  I had the urge to go shopping there and wondered if it would be worth it to take the trip again to do so. 

At the funeral home, Dan took care of Alex and I visited with family members.  I was sure to get email addresses from them, determined to stay in touch.

That evening, back at the hotel, Alex couldn't decide whether he wanted to sleep with Mommy or Daddy.  He eventually chose Daddy.

The next morning, we dressed for the funeral.  Alex seemed pleased to wear his suit.

Green-Wood Cemetery is beautiful any time of year.  The columbarium in which my aunt's remains were to be kept was on a gorgeous and peaceful setting with goldfish ponds between the buildings.

The lunch afterwards was pretty long.  It took everything I could to keep Alex entertained, but I must say that he was really, really good considering the circumstances and that he's not even 4 yet.  Waiting so long cancelled my plans to bring Alex to the transit museum afterwards, but we can always do that another time. 

My aunt would likely advise to not wait too long before we visited again.  I'll make sure that's the case.

Happiness Is...New Boots

A special new package arrived this morning. I had been expecting it, so I had Alex open it while I snapped some photos.

At long last, Alex had his beloved Thomas the Train rainboots. He was so excited about them, he wanted to wear them right away. He's stomping around the house with them as I write.

Every boy needs his Thomas rainboots.

Wednesday, February 2

The New Death Star, by Black & Decker

Alex has fallen in love with his Teddy Ruxpin doll ever since I told him that we had new story cartridges for him. Yesterday, we heard the story of Teddy and the Mudglupps. We had so much fun that Alex wants to hear it again and again. 

This morning, he was listening to Teddy tell the story again and I saw my opportunity to break out my new vacuum and get to some floors! As soon as I started, Alex jumped up from the dining room table and ran to get his Iron Man mask. He put the Red Power Ranger mask on Teddy and was soon "blasting" me with his water gun/laser gun, making laser burst sounds. He informed me that he was shooting at me because I was Darth Vader. 

"Why am I Darth Vader?!?" I asked.

"Because of the vacuum cleaner!" he declared "Put it away Darth Vader! Stop making that noise!"

The Force is strong in this one, if by "The Force" you mean an intense hatred of vacuum cleaners.

Wednesday, February 2

Snow Day!!! (Times 100)

It's been snowing like crazy lately.  This morning, we ventured out to the gym.  It was a good thing we got an early start.   It was a crazy experience just walking through the park.  It was so eerily quiet.

 We walked through the park and the sound of the falling snow was all we heard.

Later in the day, we added some sound.  Teddy Ruxpin helped us out for Snack and Story time today.

I think maybe it's time to get a new Teddy Ruxpin cartridge.