New Stuff

The kids got some money for Christmas. Zach didn't have school Monday or yesterday, so I thought going out to spend Christmas money would be a good way to mix it up a bit and add some excitement. We went to Target to give a variety of options. Ryan and I already talked about what he would get. He has been having so much fun with this pretend camera Lily got for Christmas that I told him there is a real camera he can get. That was all she wrote about that. He wanted his own digital camera from that moment on. Even when I told him it would be all of his Christmas money he was set on it. He is mommy's boy:-) I think he loves taking pictures as much as I do too. First thing this morning he went down to get his camera and started taking pictures. He had taken 31 by the time I looked at it. We have pictures of everything from his feet(taken on purpose), to the windows, to people. Discerning he is not; In love with the camera, he is. That's where it starts.
I picked out this ball popper toy for Lily because I remembered how much fun Ryan had with it at a friend's house when he was younger. She seemed to like it though I think her brothers like it more at this point. She had tons of fun clapping the balls together though. It was pretty funny watching all three of them go crazy with the balls flying everywhere, but after a while it got old. Lily thought so too. She walked away and left Zach and Ryan playing with it. I have discovered that this toy is fantastic for changing time. I just have Ryan play with it while Lily watches from the floor. It is such a different experience from the floor that she is mesmerized.
Unfortunately for Zach he didn't actually get to use his new computer games last night because I have the kids computer disconnected to transfer it to our old desk. He picked a Sponge Bob game and a Scooby Doo game. To me they are just 2 more games in his collection, to him they are a great new adventure. He is his father's son.
I will leave you with some photography by Ryan...

This is me coming down the stairs this morning. Like I said, first thing this morning. I wish I could say this is the worst picture of me ever...

Action shot.

This is a close up of our welcome mat completing Ryan's repertoire with artsy.