The Pet Shop Boy

Tuesday night we encountered a cat food shortage in our house. To avoid staging the scene of feline rioting, M and I piled into the car and went to our local big-box pet supply retailer. The plan was a quick in-and-out to pick up a bag of overpriced kibbles and be on our way.

Instead we stopped to watch the guinea pigs. Right next to those were the mice, the rats, and the ferrets. Then we migrated to the bird isle and watched parakeets, zebra finches and parrots. We entered the aquarium department and watched about a thousand different types of fish. There were also turtles, snakes, spiders, geckos, and lizards in various terrariums. In all it was a solid hour of all-out entertainment! It was just like a trip to the zoo without the drive and the admission. I think we'll need to come back!

There was however an incident highlighting our parental shortcomings... At one point M saw a Dutch rabbit, pointed to it, and said 'Meow'.

No need to ask for directions

Happy Birthday, Mom!

From your pal visiting 123 Sesame Street.

Higher, faster, and steeper

Spring has, as they say, sprung. After months of being cooped up inside it is again pleasant to venture outdoors. In the new season most trips outside end up involving a visit to a playground somewhere.

As recently as this fall the height of playground excitement was the swing. Fast forward to the spring of 2008 and the swing ranks as marginally more interesting than washing one's hair.

Enter the slide!

Turns out nothing compares to a thrilling trip down a half-pipe!

It's too bad that roller coasters have height restrictions. For now this is as fun as fun gets!

Mommy and me...

Happy Mother's Day!

NICU reunion

Every spring the NICU at Children's holds a reunion. Previous clients/ tenants/ graduates return to their old stomping grounds to visit with the doctors and nurses, have a piece of cake, and - of course - show their photo album to anyone who's interested.

It is a terrific trip down memory lane.

Even the smell of the obligatory hand sanitizer foam at the door is etched in your head and takes you back to a time when your life revolved around a small incubator with a computer screen streaming real-time statistics. It is also a nice time to interact with people who share an experience. Everyone has a story that is uniquely their own yet similar to everyone else's.

It is also a time to take stock of how lucky we were two years ago when the stakes were high and outcomes seemed random. Yet the place and the returning graduates exude hope and optimism.

And M liked the guy in the parrot costume...