Life Is Beautiful.

STAYCATION:

DAY 1

As you'll recall, the itinerary for today was:

Make Sock Puppets (check)

Go Out For Hot Cocoa (oops...moved to Tuesday)

Choose A Pet Fish (check)

I'd say that two outta three ain't bad.

Today was pretty packed--Ian had a dentist appointment this morning that had been rescheduled not once, but twice due to odious amounts of snow...and Blake had physical therapy. Side note: We've officially reached The Ugly Part Of Winter where the snow loses all of its pristine-ity (just made up that one) and becomes brown and gross and awful. As for the account of Ian's dental visit, I'm proud to report no cavities, no "watches," and many praises from the dentist (which led to an enormous ego boost for me, the-woman-who-is-hyper-vigilant-about-Ian's-dental-hygiene).

I'm already feeling nostalgic for this week. I'm watching the time creep by and know that the week will slip away all too quickly. Ian hasn't been this happy and downright giddy...maybe ever? (And that's saying something, because when it comes to the Happy-And-Giddy Department, Ian's the president.)

And before we begin....Bridget, Joe says this picture is for vous:

P.S. Read Bridget's blog. You won't regret it.

P.P.S. So as to keep this from being a regrettable inside joke,

this photo is an homage to this post.

Here's proof that our day was far from sunshine and rainbows.

On our way home from the store, we heard a strange noise in the back seat...and then Ian started complaining about a smell. For no real reason, Blake decided to throw up. The good news was that he wasn't fluish and ill, which was proven by the bad news: He played in the sick the whole way home.

We did, indeed, purchase a fish today. Ian was beyond ecstatic, and contrary to my own personal feelings on the subject of pets, I actually think that this is going to be a good experience for him. (Local friends, we might be hitting you up for some fish-sitting in the future.) We chose a betta fish that Ian immediately named

Firetruck Matt Jackson.

Firetruck, because he's red (and because Ian knows how to both read and spell the word)...and I'm not sure where Matt came from. But we're in full support of Ian's naming conventions. Because he's so awesome.

In the waning hour of our evening, we settled in at the kitchen table with our Sock Puppet Making Supplies. Have you made a sock puppet lately? If not, you should. It's all kinds of fun for all ages. Tomorrow morning is our Sock Puppet Show. Wanna come?

This is my puppet.

Her name is Pretzel.

Ian giggled the entire time.

This is his Sock Puppet: Natalie.

Joe is particularly proud that his sock puppet,

Beauregard, has a goatee.

The happy Sock Family:

Natalie, Pretzel, Beauregard.

On the docket for tomorrow?

Geocaching and Baking.

(And maybe some hot cocoa...but we might save that for sledding day)

Stay Tuned!