Thursday, June 19, 2008

Iron Boy

Aidan received a $25 gift card to Target for his birthday and has been asking to go shopping. Yesterday was the big expedition and the guidelines were that he could buy only one toy and that I had to approve it. We spent almost an hour leisurely walking around Target, checking out all the marvelous items that a six year old boy might want to buy. We perused art supplies and kits, fishing poles, action figures, cars, a science kit (my preference) and Legos.

Much to my surprise (and chagrin), he got very excited about an Iron Man mask and "repulsor gauntlet", which shoots disks. Oh, joy.
I extolled the virtues of the science kit ("Look, Aidan, you can make stink bombs!") and even talked up the Diego fishing pole, but he was set on the Iron Man set. It was within his price range, I got a solid assurance that he would never ever shoot the disks at us or Spenser, so I decided to be an indulgent mom and let him buy it.

He was so proud to hand his purchase and gift card to the cashier, and, for some reason, was very excited to receive a receipt! He carefully folded it up and put it in his pocket for safekeeping.


Since we returned home, he has playing Iron Man nearly nonstop. We set up plastic cups and take turns knocking
them over with the repulsor disks. And if terrorists ever make an appearance out here in Hooterville, we'll be ready for them.



Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Nice work, if you can get it

His name is Spenser and he is eleven years old. If I am the queen, then he is probably the king...or perhaps the emperor. His life consists of eating, napping, being adored and petted, and generally being waited on.

Spenser is our crotchety old man. He has sparks of liveliness, when the Mother Ship calls to him and he races around the house at high rates of speed, but he mainly sleeps and complains. He and Aidan are great buddies now and I am sure it won't be long before Spenser sleeps with him at night instead of us.

It's good to be king, eh Spenser?