Perils of Reproduction: October 2007 Archives

Yesterday marked a major milestone on The Boy's path to dental adulthood - he lost his first tooth.  Actually, I kind of yanked it out of his mouth while we were sitting in the car waiting for Hublet to negotiate with the auto repair guy, but whatever. 

I was all excited, because I had been waiting over 6 years to use the super-cute tooth pillow that I received at a baby shower prior to The Boy's birth. I had shown him the pillow, complete with the little pocket, when he first discovered that his tooth was loose. This had disappointed my mother, who had somehow procured an even cuter and more elaborate tooth pillow, when I informed her that we had the tooth pillow issue handled, thanks.  Yes, there was tooth pillow drama. I know.

So naturally, when it actually fell out, The Boy decided not to use the super-cute tooth pillow in favor of a zip-loc plastic snack bag.

Which is probably just as well, since I seem to have lost the tooth pillow.

I'm just not cut out for Martha Stewart living.

So yesterday was picture day at The Boy's school.  Desperate not to repeat last year's mistake, I was planning on sending The Boy to school in a short-sleeved polo shirt and khaki shorts. That way he'd be both presentable in the photo and comfortable on the playground, since Fall has determined that it's just gonna skip N.C. this year.

But alas, I was not planning on The Boy being self-determining.  Upon reflection, I realize that I must not have been paying attention.  After all, this is the same child who only wore orange socks for his entire third year of life on this planet, and the child who wore either a Power Rangers sweatsuit or a Tow-Mater shirt for six straight months. In addition, he is very free with his opinions about what our family members are wearing, memorably informing my mother at the beach, "Wow, Grandmommy! You look almost good!" So yeah, The Boy has definite sartorial preferences, and this past Saturday he took a moment away from his Toon Town time to announce:

"I want a red shirt and a red-and-black-checkered tie to wear for my picture."

Oooookaaaay. Since I had errands to run anyway, and since I am SICK TO DEATH OF ALL THE WARM-WEATHER CLOTHES I OWN (see absence of Fall, above), I determined that a quick stop by Kohls might be the answer.

And bless you, Arrow shirt company, with your pre-packaged shirt/tie combos that help me avoid arguing about putting a blue and red tie with a black shirt. The Boy selected a red shirt with a red and black striped tie, some black pants (with adjustable waist, Hallelujiah!), and helped me pick out 4 new shirts and a dress.  We were officially ready for Picture Day.

Being a realist, I felt it necessary to prepare The Boy for the fact that he would likely be the only boy in a tie in his entire elementary school, so we armed him with the appropriate response to teasing, as well as a change of clothes for the playground, because it was going to be about 84 degrees that day, and a long-sleeved shirt, tie, and long black pants would be miserable.

Picture Day morning The Boy was in a very good mood, beaming when I told him how handsome he looked, and checking his hair in the mirror. When he got out of the car at the dropoff, the teacher helping out complimented him as well, and he looked pleased and a bit embarrassed.

Turns out all my worrying about teasing was for naught. Although The Boy was the only one in a tie, his  friend/nemesis was very impressed with his look, as were his classmates. I just hope he isn't pulling a Calvin face in the picture.

And I'm already planning the "You want those clothes, you get a job at the store and an employee discount and knock yourself out" speech. I have a feeling I'll be needing it.

While getting worked up into a froth in the post below -  

HAT WATCH, DAY - umm.  I forget:

Purple and Black Spider.  The legs extend in a nimbus that reaches a good 2 feet from her head.  Where is she getting these things?

And thanks to all of you who've responded to my postcard plea below.  I'm still taking volunteers...Anyone got any friends in Alaska?

Oh, and something I just thought of while perusing this post and its associated links:

You can rest assured that no matter how much of an ass I may think you are, I will never publish your personal information (complete with satellite imagery) online, either with or without veiled and threatening commentary, due to your political views or actions. And that's a Big Arm Woman guarantee! Granted, it's a guarantee I would have assumed most folks wouldn't have to make, because it's way beyond the pale, but you know what they say about "assume."  Jesus. What is WRONG with people?

Okay, so I was trying to find the Graduation mini-movie from Kim Possible, which apparently ISN'T AVAILABLE for either download or purchase - don't get me started yet again on my craptastic DVR which isn't TiVo and which therefore SUCKS because it doesn't understand the concept of ONE HOUR MOVIE and only recorded half the episode, thereby ruining our family's entire evening of fun and viewership, DAMN YOU DIRECTV DVR! - and ran across a phenomenon called ToonTown, which is like EverQuest for the Elementary set, except free. Well, this is from Disney, so obviously you can pay for "an upgraded experience," but there's a lot to do for free, so free it is.

The Boy and I created a toon, and I thought, "This'll be fun for a few days."

Famous last words.

That place is freaking addictive!  We fish, and play games, and defeat evil cogs by throwing pies in their faces, and have pets and help friends in battle, and  - good grief.  There's a reason I never started World of Warcraft, or any other MMORPG.  I understand my limitations, and my tendency to be sucked into the internet.  However, I grossly misunderestimated Disney - a mistake I shall not repeat, friends.

So now I have my toon, and The Boy has his, and he uses his TV time on ToonTown. 

Good news - no TV.  Bad news - I've become obsessed with completing the task that will give us Frame 16 of the Sound Gag Training Movie, so that we'll have a new and improved weapon in our anti-Cog arsenal.

I can't believe I just typed that sentence.

Sigh.

At least my TV Boyfriend and his Geeky Ginormous TV Brother will return tomorrow evening, so I can be distracted from my burning need to defeat Cogs.