Best Toys

The best toys for kids are not really toys at all... I often wonder why that is.  They like the stuff we buy for them at the store, sure.  But what I make note of are the odd things they use for entertainment.  Aurelia has shown Thaddeus the utensil drawer, and they both enjoy shaking the potato masher; she often wears it as a bracelet.  More recently, Thad was throwing around the cast iron saute pan.  Seriously, throwing.  It was the smaller one, but still, that thing is pretty heavy for the way he was flingin' it around.  And it makes alot of noise.  I know I'm supposed to be nurturing and let him explore, but it was so loud! 

Aurelia's favorite new thing is the dog crate a friend let us borrow for Simba.  When my friend brought it over for me, the first thing I did was to tell Aurelia that is was for the puppy-- not her!  That lasted about an hour.  It's set up in the living room, into which I came back after laying Thad down.  I didn't immediately see Aurelia.  Then I hear a meek, "Hi, Mom."  Where are you?  I see her little face through the window of the dog box.  Classic.

(Later that night, I found her in there smearing butter along the bottom and door.  Bet Simba likes the thing better now.)

And, as a parting gift:  a photo of T.J. really enjoying his noodles.