Money makes the world go round . . .

Last night I had the boys in Walmart as we had to get a birthday gift for Alex's friend. After much hemming and hawing we selected a nice "fishing guy action figure" (I am NOT making that up). "Fully Articulated Figure" is printed right on the box and it comes with a boat, net, fishing pole and two large mouth fish. We all agreed it was pretty cool and much better than the Power Ranger Alex originally wanted to get for him. We also got the friend a set of "Crazy 8" cards as Alex is a true chard shark; I figure his friends should be prepared as he already wants to play for money.

This brings me to the focal point of this post: While walking by the DVD's Jack discovered that you can get the whole first season of the animated "Star Wars: The Clone Wars." He literally JUMPED for joy! I had to rain on his parade as it cost $35 and while I'm all for the impromptu baseball card or Hot Wheels car purchase, $35 is out of Mama's price range.

Jack took this well though and we agreed it was a good item for his birthday list, or something we as a family could save up for together (Jack clearly thinking I am as excited about this as he is - Joel might actually enjoy it, whereas I could never see it and live a totally fulfilled life).

"Alex" Jack said as we walked to the checkout area "would you give some of your money to get the movie?"

Alex shakes his head "no."

"But Alex" Jack implores "you love Star Wars like I do - you'll really like having all the episodes!"

"Jack" Alex says very seriously "you are forgetting that I am saving all my money so I can be rich."

"Oh right" Jack sighs "and then you'll use it to buy all the Star Wars Lego sets."

"RIGHT!" Alex shouts cheerfully.

Maybe Alex will be the one to keep me and Joel in the manner to which we'd like to become accustomed in our old age . . . assuming he'll spend his money on us.

Tattoo You

I'm back - it's been awhile but I'm back!

A few weeks ago Alex hopped up onto my lap and declared "I want a permanent tattoo."

"Really?" I replied, thinking it was interesting he knew the difference between his kid tattoos and "permanent tattoos."

"Yes. I'm getting a permanent tattoo right here" and he pointed to the spot right between his eyebrows. "Will it hurt?" he asked innocently.

"Yes, it will hurt" I answered, somewhat stunned.

"Really? Because they will just go in-out, in-out, in-out. Will it still hurt?"

"Yes, it will still hurt. You know Alex, if you get a tattoo on the middle of you forehead everyone will see it all the time."

"They will?" he asked "but we don't see Daddy's all the time." (Joel has a tattoo on his upper arm of the Wild Thing from "Where the Wild Things Are.")

"Honey, everyone can't see Daddy's tattoo all the time because it's on his arm and it's covered by his shirt."

"Oh right - I guess people only see it when he wears a tank top."

At this I almost laughed out loud as in the now close to 14 years I've known Joel he has NEVER worn a tank top.

"Well, I think mostly people see it when Daddy goes to the beach and isn't wearing a shirt. But if you get a tattoo on your forehead, you can't cover it with a shirt or anything."

"That's okay Mama, I'll just cover it with a band-aid and take it off when I want the guys to see it. That way the girl's can't see it ever."

And with that, the conversation ended as Jack returned from brushing his teeth and demanded Alex take his turn. Saved by the demand for dental hygiene!