I Promise This Isn't His Timeout Spot . . .

Patrick likes to crawl in Kato's crate. He drops his blocks in just so he can crawl in and get them.

Spaghetti for Dinner

. . . and a BATH!

Sleepover

Patrick had his first "sleepover" this week with his friend Miles. Miles wasn't really spending the night, but he was at our house until after bedtime. Here is a picture of the boys in their jammies, with a bowl of popcorn and their blankies, ready to watch a movie. We watched Mulan because of the cool dragon, according to Miles.

Before and After

This is what our sweet handsome boy looked like before church . . .

And after . . .

I was spraying off the sidewalk because it rained yesterday after we did yard work and dirt got everywhere. Patrick is not physically capable of staying out of water, so I took off his clothes and let him have some fun.

Freezer

We found a freezer on craigslist this week, and inside there is already . . .

yummy strawberry jam!

. . . and tasty, tasty meat. (We are not vegetarians!)

Our Second Home

As soon as he is done with breakfast, before he is dressed, he brings me his shoes and says, "go, go?"

Another Calling

I got another calling yesterday as Ward Activity Chairperson. My good friend Becky was previously doing this job and then they put her in Primary, so I guess this is what I get for helping out so much at the last activity! I am excited though, because as Reed points out to me often, I have control issues and I love being in charge of things.

I am going to start brain-storming, and if any of you have had a really great ward activity that you would like to tell me about, I would really appreciate the ideas.

Patrick and Kato Playing

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nceQiluJhio

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lcn4-JhtJbQ

Kato

We have acquired a dog. His name is Kato and his is a six-year old Lhasa Apso. His story goes something like this:

My good friend Becky has a dog named Jingle, Kato's brother. Kato was originally Becky's brother's dog. He then lived with Becky's parents for a couple years, but they had three dogs, and it got to be too much, so they were going to send Kato to the Humane Society. Becky's husband, Justin, has an aunt and uncle here who said they would take Kato. They had him for a week and then went to Utah for vacation and Becky asked if we would watch Kato. He was really comfortable here right away and super cuddly, so I asked Becky how long Justin's aunt and uncle were going to foster him, and they said if we wanted him we could keep him!

He is a very sweet dog, and the best part is that he has learned how run away from Patrick if he needs to. Patrick is learning, but he still sometimes tries to pull his tail or ears.

American Girl

I have a son. This weekend I was indoctrinated in to the world of having a daughter. This weekend was the grand opening of the American Girl doll store here in Denver. Bethany thought while she was here we could stop by and she would save some shipping.

We get to the mall on Saturday about 30 minutes after the store has opened. We walk around the building and find a GIGANTIC line. This is an building right outside the mall, so the line was outside. We asked the ARMED SECURITY GUARDS how long the line was and they said 4-5 hours! The first girl was in line at 7 pm Friday night. We decided not to wait in line.

We came back early Monday morning and there was still a line to get in! This time the wait was only 20 minutes, so we stayed, but not havinf a nine-year old daughter, I had to wonder what all the big fuss was about.

This store is a little girl's dreamland. You can buy all the dolls and their innumerable accessories. You can have your doll's ears pierced and she can go to the doll salon to get her hair done. Some of the bigger stores in New York and Chicago have a cafe attached. You can make custom t-shirts for you and your doll. It's crazy. I don't know if I have it in me to have a daughter. I don't think I would wait hours in line to spend hundreds of dollars on doll stuff. (Having said that, Bethany is very reasonable. I don't want you to think otherwise.)

Anyway, it was an interesting experience. I'm sure if I ever have a daughter, I will adapt, but right now I like shopping for cars and trains. And boys enjoy playing with free stuff, like rocks and sticks.