Paig-a-licious

Today our dear, dear friend Paige stopped by for a visit. Paige and I have known each other since the early 90's (holy crap we're almost at 20 years) and she has been one of the few constant friends that entire time. If I had access to the scanner, I would scan a really great picture of her from a How To Host A Murder dinner party circa 1993.

Paige was in town for a week, visiting with a friend who was experiencing a great loss, catching up with another friend who has found a new lease on life, and making sure we're still as crazy as always. When we reported that Kristin's Dad taught Clara the word "shopping" when they were here for Anna's birth, Paige was most pleased. She likes to teach little girls all about Prada.

We spent most of the day visiting. We talked, we played with Clara and Anna, we chatted with my mom, but we ended the day with two great traditions. Each has a story, and each story warrants telling.

We had dinner at Outback. I have no idea how the tradition was started, but EVERY time Kristin and I went to Outback in D.C. we would go with Paige. Generally we'd arrive at the restaurant first, secure a table, and I'd order the drinks (one regular Coke, two Diet Cokes, three waters) and the appetizers (layered Cheese Fries and Bushman Shrooms).

[BEGIN ASIDE: One of our servers once told us about layered Cheese Fries. Rather than piling all the bacon and cheese on top, they do a layer of fries, some cheese, another layer of fries, and more cheese and the bacon. Definitely ask for them next time you head to Outback. END ASIDE.]

[BEING ASIDE #2: Oh, and Bushman Shrooms were recently taken off the menu in Utah, but are mushrooms dipped in the batter they use for the Bloomin' Onion and served with the ranch from the Cheese Fries. They prepared them for us even after taking them off the menu. END ASIDE #2.]

We'd get salads for our main course, after gorging ourselves on the appetizers and bread, and chat for a good long while. Paige is notorious for carrying random things in her purse, so we'd usually check out the books, magazines, and make-up du jour. Rarely did we order dessert. We'd just sit and talk and talk and talk.

After dinner my mom, the girls, and I came home while Kristin and Paige drove in her rental to the store. We actually needed a few things and we "needed" some dessert. Here's where story #2 comes in:

It was a Saturday night about five years ago. Paige was (how do we say this delicately?) PMSing, and there needed to be chocolate and lots of it. I opted out of the trip to the store, fearing that I would not be able to handle that much estrogen (says the guy with a wife and two daughters). They returned a short while later with chocolate chip cookies with peanut butter cups baked into them and chocolate icing in which to dip said cookies. Even I, the King of Sweets, couldn't down more than two or three. The women devoured them. Ahh, the sweet power of estrogen.

Although they skipped on the chocolate icing this time, Kristin and Paige returned with a mix for triple chocolate brownies, hot fudge, whipped cream, and vanilla and caramel ice cream. Thirty-five minutes and one edge brownie pan later we were gorging. An excellent ending to the day.

Here are a few shots from the day. Oh, we also played Rock Band. Which I love. It kills me how much Anna looks like Clara.
Do you think Clara and Anna look alike?

A Change in Plans

MEMO

---

TO: Saint Peter
FROM: Hell Director
RE: Bruce

---

Our reports indicate that this evening Bruce was spotted moving furniture at one friend's house and painting at another's. Due to these actions we are forced to cancelling his reservation for one cool rock, effective immediately.

We are sad to lose such a wonderful specimen, and hope you enjoy having him in your ethereal realms.

Our regards to the archangels.

Memorializing With Meat

David got a new gas grill. It is a beauty to behold. He and I went to go pick it up last Friday night in our car. It fit perfectly in the back. He assembled it on Monday morning. It is glorious. Glonious, even. Witness.

David cooked Hebrew National Hot Dogs on his new grill. As my friend Dave likes to say, "My people know how to make a hot dog." They were perfect. Here are shots of David loading up his new grill for the first time.

Clara and Michael had a wonderful time playing together. As did the adults. At one point in the afternoon we found ourselves, David, Bonnie, Oliver, and Kristin, sitting up in their family room talking while the two children played in the basement. Occasionally silence would trigger a parent to go investigate, but by and large they were able to play downstairs on their own. How they're going up.

Other highlights include the Baker's Edge brownie pan brownies, the corn on the cob that Bonnie perfectly cooked, watching random videos on YouTube, and dancing in the kitchen. 'Twas truly a memorable memorialization.

Reading books, playing on the couch, Michael jumping off the couch

Stroller Fun (Clara climbed in by herself)

Shall we dance?

Dinner and The interWebs

Tonight I met a college buddy for dinner. It was good to sit down, compare notes on how life is treating us, touch on the metaphysical and spiritual, vent a little about this and that, and generally catch up. He's winning the "make the other guy jealous" game. He's going to Dubai on vacation next month. DUBAI There's an odd pull that makes me want to visit Dubai.

Though Adam and I haven't talked in over a year, we quickly fell into deep conversation. I had a similar experience with a former coworker about a month ago. It is curious that there a people that you come to know so well that even though time passes you still retain the history and relationship forged over time. It helps when you have shared battle scars, in our case idiotic professors, multiple. Some of my favorite GW memories involve post-class rants at the Foggy Bottom metro station. Adam's then-girlfriend even witnessed a few and confirmed my insanity, a point that very few people argue.

After dinner we ran into a few coworkers who were at a farewell happy hour. For reasons made obvious by the next sentence, it is important to note that they all work in Editorial. I posed a question that has been weighing on my mind lately: Is the correct usage "the internets" or "the interwebs". Recently I have been partial to "the interwebs" but was curious to see how others view the world.

One person favored "the internets", another brought up "the online", and the third mentioned that he prefers "the interWeb". I immediately fused the third suggestion with my preferred and came up with "the interWebs".

I believe we have found the term. Not "the interwebs" but "the interWebs". If you're not laughing, go check your AP Stylebook.

Pictures from Last Night

Took out the camera at the party last night to try and capture a few memories. The photos that turned out best? The pictures of the kids. Enjoy!

Michael sizing up the camera (He had been in the pantry with Clara, giggling as they opened and closed the door.)

L-R: Clara, Samara, and Michael playing the piano.

It took some luck, but we got the three to look at the camera.

"I'm busy, Daddy."

"And over here I think we should dump out all the toys..."

"I think we got the job done. What about you?"

Channelling Grandma Sally

Michael practicing his portraiture pose.

Happy Birthday to the Woman

Today is the woman's birthday, so happy day to her. To celebrate we had people over tonight for Costco cake and ice cream. Tiffany surprised us by bringing some of the most incredible caramel popcorn I've ever had. It was a great time.

Kristin isn't the easiest person to fête (how I love the circumflex), never one to throw herself a party (unlike someone else we know). However she was kind enough to permit a small gathering. We had a grand old time. A few of the gatherees wanted to watch the American Idol finale. We had to turn on the closed captioning so we could follow the action over the din of the offspring. Not having watched this season I came in without opinion on the singers. I must say, David Cook was flat. Archueletta really performed his heart out.

Because a girl always needs flowers, some were delivered today. Lovey, let's have many returns on the day.

Just think, the next one will be in Utah.

Update: No, wait. We'll be at my internship. You'll never celebrate a birthday in Utah.

Creating a Monster

Last night we had everyone over to help with a project. Once the work was done, Bruce turned to me and said, "Do I smell Rita's?" I turned to Aaron and David and repeated the questions. We concurred; Rita's was in the air.

I feel as if I haven't given Rita's the blog-love it deserves. I mentioned Rita's in one post a while back, but more is needed. It all started in the summer of 2007...

Squiggly lines down the screen

Matt & Honor had just moved to Philadelphia from Michigan. Early on they noticed a fair number of people lining up at a little store/stand near their home. The store was called Rita's and they sold water ice. One visit had them hooked. When we visited them a few weeks later, they introduced us. My wild cherry ice mixed with custard was a dream.

Rita's ice is basically Italian ice. You can buy a cup of ice in one of three sizes, or you can order a combined treat that includes the one other thing they sell: custard. The gelati starts with custard, your choice of ice is added, then it's topped with more custard. A misto combined liquid custard with ice. A blendini is frozen custard and ice blended together. Oh, and you can get plain custard.

While we were in Minnesota last August, we received a phone call from David. Bonnie's sister lives up near Philly, and David & Bonnie were introduced to Rita's on a trip up there. They were equally enamored of the stuff. "You won't believe where I am. Rita's!" "You're not in Philly, are you?" "No, we were driving to Chik-fil-A to get shakes (oh, I need to post about Chik-fil-A shakes) and saw a sign: Now Open, Rita's Herndon." "You've got to be kidding me. Rita's? In Herndon?" "Yes. We're here right now!!!"

When we flew back to Virginia we stopped by Rita's on our way home from the airport. It was bliss. Quickly, we established the tradition of going to Rita's every Monday night for Family Home Evening with our friends.

Squiggly lines down the screen - back to the present

We walked into Rita's and the owner, who we know by name, was behind the counter. We ordered three quarts of ice and one quart of custard. "When you buy four quarts, you get a free cooler bag. If you bring the bag back it's buy-three-get-one-free." David proudly walked out of the store carrying the bag.

Back at home we dug into the ice and started playing some Mario Kart Wii. (Important link for all Mario Kart Wii-ers.) Aaron brought over two Mario Kart wheels, so David, Aaron, Bruce, and I went head-to-head. After being mocked for not having a larger TV, we had a great time racing around. After Bruce & Julie went home David, Aaron, and I continued playing. David got really into the game. Aaron turned to me at one point and said, "Have we created a monster? Is David going to be bothering Bonnie to buy a Wii?" I hope so.

Once Aaron got home, he and I tested out the online racing. Not without a few bugs, the online play is great fun. I beat Aaron in every race. Poor Aaron. Maybe if Bruce and David get Wiis we can play online a few nights a week.

Now if Zachariah would only get his Mario Kart Wii up and running...

NOTE: If you have Mario Kart Wii and want to do online play, drop me an e-mail and I'll send my friend number.

Blogging New Year's Day

Should this be Part 7?

Slumber parties are not meant to include sleep, and this one delivered. A 1:48am bedtime (we had to show off Paper Mario) and Clara waking up and coming into bed with us and not being able to fall back asleep (read flailing around, crying out every two minutes), resulted in very little sleep for Mom and Dad. At 3:20am, after an hour and a half of Clara's fitfullness, I got up, dressed, and walked Kristin and Clara to the car, with the charge to sleep what they could and return in the morning.

Return they did, sleep little did we all. Bruce made some amazing molasses ginger waffles, a Rachel Ray recipe, which we served with fruit, sausage, and bacon. Bonnie suggested that we cooked the bacon in the oven. This took me back to my days working at Fuddrucker's, where we would cook the day's bacon in the oven each morning. The bacon that was closely attended to cooked perfectly. The bacon that I ignored on the lower rack charred and set off the smoke alarm. Bonnie handed David a towel, which he waved in front of the smoke alarm, which silenced the alarm. Great trick to remember.

The pictures of the waffles don't do them justice, so I'll close with a Bruce self portrait. Anyone ready for a nap?

Blogging New Year's Eve, Part 6

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well, we made it. At 11:52p we abandoned our game of Taboo! (Old People winning, say what?) and turned on Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve. (Ryan Seacrest, ugh.) I do love David's HDTV and HD cable. With glasses of sparking juice at the ready, we counted down as the ball dropped and wished each other a hearty "Happy New Year!", bestowing smooches on those we found desirable, and clicking glasses with everyone else.

I was impressed that Colter and Logan made it up as late as they did, and am guessing that sugar had *something* to do with it.

2007 was an eventful year, with many a twist and turn on our life's road. 'Twas one with more joys than sorrows, more light that dark, and more joy than pain. There are those who have left us that we dearly miss, and those who have joined our lives that we couldn't imagine living without. A little one has daily given us new challenges and experiences, and yet life continues on in that same vein of learn, love, give, grow, try, fail, succeed.

Here's to 2008. And may the new year bless you as the parting one blessed us.

Kristin, Oliver & Clara

Blogging New Year's Eve, Part 5

And we have a winner! Killer Bunnies was won by Kristin with the #4 Carrot, Flo. Congrats, Kristin!

Bonnie and Oliver are going to go on a date. They are going to watch UHF on their date. Kristin and David are going to go on a date and shake their heads at their spouses.

"Supplies!"
"Wheel. Of. Fish."
"I'm thinking of something orange. Something orange. It's an orange. Get it: an orange."
"Red snapper, very nice."

Bruce and Aaron & Tiffany are terrible parents: Colter and Logan are still up.

Blogging New Year's Eve, Part 4

• Ligretto stop.
• Refuel.
• Now on to Killer Bunnies.

(Colter & Logan still awake.)

Blogging New Year's Eve, Part 3

"Just roll your tongue, then pull it in a little."

Welcome to our New Year's Eve.

We just pulled out the savory snacks: hot shrimp beautifully seasoned by our Marylander Aaron; cheese and crackers (hollah, Jared!); cold shrimp and BURN YOUR MOUTH OUT cocktail sauce; little smokies; and meat balls (pictured to the right).

As we sat enjoying the treats, Aaron mentioned that he has an imeem playlist. I'm searching for it right now. Rock on the imeem. Oh, and we've broken out the games.

Ligretto start!

Blogging New Year's Eve, Part 2

The kids are down. I repeat. The kids are down.

David & Bonnie's house was chosen as the location for this blessed event due to the fact that they have four bedrooms. Michael and his parents are in the master, Kristin, Clara and I are in the nursery, Tiffany's brother and sister-in-law are in the upstairs guest, Aaron, Tiffany and Samara the downstairs guest, and Bruce and the young boys are in the rec room downstairs. All little kids are behind a closed door, so our partying can go about unabated.

Tonight Kristin discovered that Clara's hair is long enough to part down the middle and use a clip on each side. I didn't get a picture, lastimosamente, but she looked adorable with her "accountant hair". I told David this was done in his honor.

Here is the treats table. We have yet to break out the cheese and crackers, the little smokies, the meatballs, and bruschetta. Ah, food.

Blogging New Year's Eve

I got enough grief about not live-blogging Christmas morning, so here is some live blogging for New Year's Eve.

We're here at David and Bonnie's for New Year's Eve with David, Bonnie & Michael; Aaron, Tiffany, Logan & Samara; Kristin, Clara & I; Bruce & Colter (Julie isn't feeling well); and Trevor and Maria (Tiffany's brother and sister-in-law.) We just finished eat, the kids are running wild, and the Wii is on. Bless Costco pizza and Tiffany's grape salad. Everyone has brought their holiday goodies and we've all committed to throwing anything that doesn't get eaten tonight away. Don't think we're incredibly health-concious people; it's our way of justifying gorging ourselves tonight.

The kids are going down at 8pm and the games will begin.

A Visit from Heidi & Dave!

Heidi, author of the blog Chronicles of the Flood, and her lovely husband Dave, stopped by the east coast this week to celebrate their anniversary, revisit old stomping grounds, and remember what it is like to live without children.

I first met Heidi eight years ago at an Institute function. We share a birthday and through her I got my job at washingtonpost.com. She is a smart, articulate person with a strong sense of right and wrong and a great sense of humor. She married a wonderful man named Dave who is mellow enough to endure her high stress moments and strong enough to allow himself to dissolve into her wonderful personality and emerge the same wonderful man he is. When they told us they were coming out east to visit we told knew we HAD to see them.
They came over for a few hours last night. We chatted for hours, staying up later than we should have. We had such a good time that they decided to come over the following night with a few friends in tow.

They arrived at our house this evening around 9pm. They brought with them Tom and Lisa. Lisa I knew from my Institute days. Tom is her husband. Standing well over six feet tall and fluent in Spanish, I immediately took a liking to him.

To say we had a good time would be an understatement. A few notes from the evening:

• Tom, Dave, and I going to pick up junk food from Shoppers, running into a woman I know who is Chilean, she and I talking in Spanish, Tom and Dave listening quietly on the side then jumping into the conversation. (Both are fluent.)
• Introducing Dave, Heidi, Tom, and Lisa to Killer Bunnies.
• Discussing topics from politics to parenting to crazy people protesting the construction of schools.
• Staying up until well past 1am.
• Killing four pints of Ben & Jerry's in record time.
• Laughing at things that weren't that funny, but we were so tired and delirious that we couldn't but help it...
• Rekindling old friendships, even when we hadn't seen each other in over six years.

The Ice Tradition

Last Thursday night we met up with David & Bonnie for dinner at Pei Wei. I had suggested to Kristin that we invite David & Bonnie to check out Harris Teeter, which opened a few days ago, with us. She told me that they would probably need to head home and not to bother them. So, after dinner what do I do? I ask David if they want to go check out Harris Teeter. "Oooh! I totally want to go!" The women had no chance to influence our course.

As we walked into the store we found a shopping cart with two seats in the front, complete with steering wheels - two of them! We buckled the kids in and marveled at how adorable our offspring is. Oh, we people of excellent genes. On our way in the door we ran into Jason & Ginny, a family from our ward.

The prices at Harris Teeter are ridiculous. Kristin commented that we have become total Wegmans snobs. How can you not when it is the highest-quality, lowest-price grocery store in the whole world? I doubt we'd ever stop there.

In the frozen foods section we ran into Spencer & Amy, another couple from our ward. They moved in about five months ago and we hadn't had the chance to get to know them. We stood and talked for a while, but the call of an expiring Rita's coupon was stronger, so we took off. We invited them to join us for our weekly pilgramage to Rita's the following Monday, and they accepted. Before we left, I got Spencer's PIN so I could BlackBerry Messenger him.

(And on Sunday I BBMessenged him in the middle of Sacrament Meeting. I love my Blackberry.)

On the way home from work today I called Kristin to discuss the pilgramage to Rita's when Tiffany called. We ran into Tiffany and Aaron last Monday at Rita's, and she asked if we were going tonight. I told her we were and explained that David & Bonnie and Kristin & I were planning on introducing Spencer & Amy to the frozen goodness. A number of phone calls and a few BB messages later we had a time and a place.

And take over Rita's we did do.. Everyone got ice, except Logan who wanted pink ice cream (strawberry custard). We had a great time talking, eating ice, and getting to know each other. An hour later our car pulled out of the parking lot. I hope this is the start of a tradition.

Two Weddings. No funerals.

Today was the day of multiple weddings. As I mentioned here, thanks to family reunions, I know a fair number of my second and third cousins. Today was the wedding of Charles, my third cousin, who also grew up in Northern Virginia. Over the years our families have come together for dinners to celebrate such things as births, baptisms, and graduations, and other random occasions. It's been nice having family nearby, and Charles' parents and siblings are a group of witty, entertaining, cerebral people who keep any gathering hopping. I've been looking forward to Charles’ wedding as a chance to visit not only with Charles and his family, but also with the extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Today’s service was a full Mass at a Catholic church in Fredericksburg. The church was simply decorated, with a soaring ceiling lined in a rich brown wood. The bride wore a dress with a long train, the veil’s train longer than the dress'. The line of the dress was clean, and it had a simple, elegant look.

I've never been to a full Mass before. The church had a great organ, which the organist played beautifully. There was a cantor, which I alternately liked and hated. For those not familiar, a cantor stands at the front of the sanctuary, is mic-ed, and sings any time there is congregational singing. Sometimes everyone sings along, and other times only that cantor sings, with the congregation joining at specific points. The cantor had a good voice, with a very folksy sound that was easy to sing along with. The issue I had was less with this specific cantor and more with the concept of a cantor. Singing is one of the few ways that the congregation can participate in the service. I missed not being able to participate during all the songs.

One amazing note on music: Charles' aunt is a professional opera singer and sang Caccini’s Ave Maria to close the Mass. It was beautifully sung, with a restraint that matched the tone and mood set by the accompaniment. She was positioned next to the organ, near the back of the sanctuary, and her voice alternately soared and quietly crept through the large, open space. As the last notes of the piece died, I leapt from my seat and ran out the front door, barely beating the Maid of Honor and Best Man, so Kristin and I could drive back to Northern Virginia for our second wedding of the day. As we rounded the corner of the parking lot, people burst out the front doors of the church. How we wish we could have stayed to see Charles and Jessie off.

But traffic called. We had to get back to Northern Virginia, drop Clara off with her betrothed, and get over to a country club nearby for Ron and Jen’s wedding. There was a moment there where, due to traffic on I-95, we were drawing up contingency plans – Kristin drops me off at the wedding so I can see the service, Kristin takes Clara to her betrothed's, Kristin comes back to join me for the reception – but the traffic gods looked down on us, smiled, and we made it with moments to spare.

The country club was beautifully appointed among tall hardwood trees, with simple decorations for the wedding. Rather than over-do the scene, Ron and Jen ... okay Jen ... opted for an elegant look without any over-the-topping. I've been to a wedding or two that sacrificed the former at the altar of the latter. They had pictures of themselves throughout the space, pictures together, with family, with friends, and it was fun to see these different moments in their individual lives and in their new, joint life. We pulled into a parking space next to another coworker and his wife, and quickly saw two other coworkers and their spouses, so we headed in en masse. WPNI was representing.

The actual wedding took place on a deck overlooking the golf course. The afternoon was clear and warm, with a blue sky and puffy, white clouds. As Jen walked in, the crowd stood and did a collectively intake of breathe. She looked amazing in a strapless gown, with white on white detailing, and a dark red trim along the bust line and down the train. On the back, the dress laced up with ribbon in the same red. The red trim also included some embroidery. The contrast between the red and white, as well as the detailing on the red, made an amazing visual impact. It was a singular dress, making her look spectacular on her wedding day.

The minister, an older gentleman who was performing – easily – his 500th wedding, was delightful and adeptly intermingled humor with the more serious parts of the service. Afterwards, the family and wedding party gathered for photos while the guests enjoyed hors d'ouvres and cocktails. The reception then began with the presentation of the wedding party and the new couple.

The reception was a blast, with good food, excellent dining companions (thanks for the great time John & Joe, James & Darcy, Jeff, and Scott & Gretchen), and dancing. Kristin was even a good sport and danced along with me. You may not know this, dear blog-reader, but I love to dance. Kristin is lukewarm on the subject, but humors me at weddings and every once in a while when I ask her to dance around our kitchen as music blares from my computer. She's a good dancer. It helps when you have such a wonderful person leading. (Oh, the humility….)

We knew the Boo would be a little cranky, so we cut our evening a little short, thanked the hosts, congratulated the newly-married couple, bid adieu to our friends, and picked up Clara.

What a fun day.
What a busy day.
What an a-lot-of-driving day.
I hope we never have one quite like this again.

Digging on Google (Updated)

A few months ago, I became curious about two of my best friends from high school. I dropped one of their names into Google and immediately found pictures on Flickr, posts to technology blogs, info about his jobs, etc. I tried the other, but he proved a little more elusive.

Today, I decided to give the second friend another try. I tried his name. No luck. A bunch of articles about a native Georgian who is now the head of the state's Democratic party showed in the results. Definitely not my friend. So I added "-democratic" to the end of my search string. Now all I got are a bunch of links to a PENN state hockey player. "-democratic -penn". First result, bingo. My friend.

I found an e-mail address, dropped him a line, and am waiting to see if he writes back. I hope he does. We met in 7th grade and quickly became friends, helping each other with our paper routes and playing ridiculous amounts of Nintendo. We stayed friends through high school and into college. We lost touch during my mission. I'd always wondered where he ended up.

I'll let you if I hear back.

Update: He wrote me back. My sleuthing on Google was successful!

Clara & Michael

This evening our good friends David & Bonnie had us over for dinner. This was fun for two reasons:

1. Clara and Michael are betrothed. Any chance to strengthen the relationship must be taken advantage of.
2. David & Bonnie recently moved into a new house and it was the first time going to the new house for dinner!

We arrived a little early, so Clara and Michael made nuisances of themselves, attempting to interrupt Bonnie & David as they finished the meal. At one point I set up the tripod and took a few pictures. I joined them into the animated gif below. (Thanks to this post for the trick on posting animated gifs to blogger.)From five days after Clara's birth, any sequence of pictures of these two features Michael calmly sitting and Clara constantly moving. In a way it's nice. Her high energy complements his tranquility.

The dinner was delicious. Bonnie made a chicken pasta dish with pine nuts and lemon. (Something I never knew about David: he loves pine nuts.) The tang of the citrus provided a nice contrast to the simpler flavors of chicken and pasta. The pine nuts were toasted and added another level of flavor to the dish. It really worked, both the combination of flavors as well as the dish as the main course. On the side we had butterdips - I think that's the name. They are bread sticks cooked in a bunch of melted butter. So bad for you, but oh! so tasty.

Oh, and I have to include my two favorite pictures from the night. I love the way Michael is regarding Clara in the first. And the second is just darn cute. They are going to have ADORABLE children.

Do I get ahead of myself?

Play Dates

Every good caretaker knows that your charges need a chance to get outside of the norm. From nannies in Manhattan, to mothers in the 'burbs, playdates are the mechanism of choice for that change of pace. Well, this caretaker has been watching his primary caretakee and decided it was time for a playdate.

To help pull it off, I call a fellow caretaker and arranged for our caretakees to get together this morning for a marathon scrapbooking session. We corralled the kids at his place (he also has a Wii, bless him) and let our caretakees go crazy at my place. My caretakee prepared by organizing all her scrapbooking paraphenaial and putting plain and peanut M&Ms in a bowl. (Paper, pens, scissors, ribbons, pictures, glue, and chocolate: the essentials for scrapbooking.) When the other caretakee arrived, with bags and containers in tow, I knew the playdate was going to be a success. Here were two people ready to do some serious scrapbooking.

I had a wonderful time at the other caretakers house, checking out his favorite sites, playing a little Wii, watching his son play some serious Wii (my crystal ball is telling me that Cars will be our next Wii purchase), letting his daughter and Clara play together, then piling everyone in the car for a CostCo run.

At one point we had to run by our house - I'd forgotten to grab the Mario Party 8 disc out of our Wii - and found the two caretakees, surrounded by the accoutrements of their hobby, going to town. I snapped a pic for posterity.

Playdates, scrapbooking, and CostCo. Can we get any more suburban?