Today's Toby

In trying to free up a bit more space in our apartment, we did a bit of couch surgery. Toby is very pleased with what he thinks is his new bench.  

Enjoying a moment in the sun.  

We've reached the "Dad, bury me in cars" stage of the pandemic.  

Arms? Sure, why not? Grateful for washable ink. And a happy kid.  

There ain't tellin' who you might meet...   If you're getting this post by email, click on the post title to view the video.

A moment of peace for your day:  

A continuation on chair improvisations.   

Squeezing in a little more snow fun before the weather gets warmer this week.  

When life overturns your chair, improvise.  

"You know what this place really needs? A recliner. Fortunately, I have a great imagination."  

The best way to amass an incredible sticker collection is to inherit it. Special thanks to the Albi's for passing on the wealth.   

Seems like cats aren't the only ones who love an empty container...  

Sometimes you need a little motivation to get you out the door. Sometimes that motivation is putting out sprinkles for a bird birthday party.  Birthday Bird (whoever you are), Happy Birthday!   

Today Toby was awake an hour and a half earlier than usual.  "I mean, it's PRESIDENT'S Day, Mom. It only comes once a year!"  

One advantage of the new bed set-up is Toby can climb in bed and read by himself whenever he wants. I think this has only happened once so far, but I see many days with him snuggled up with his books in his future.  

Toby just learned that his snowpants are made by Oshkosh B'gosh, a name that is eternally fun to say. If you're getting this post by email, click on the post title to view the video (with sound).  

Toby's passport arrived! Hurray!  

We needed to pick a few things up from a store that's a bit too far to walk, so we turned it into a fun family bus trip in times when the busses wouldn't be too crowded.   True excitement these days is traveling outside of our neighborhood.  

When you want to play with the snow, but not be out in the cold, a plastic bin (and a big towel) can be pretty handy. With the added bonus of being able to play with the Tiger Family and their friends.   

Waiting for Godot, waiting for a car ride, waiting for dessert - who can say what we're waiting for any more?  

There is a mini sledding hill in our "backyard." And it was the exact amount of sledding that Toby wanted. If you're getting this post by email, click on the post title to view the video.  

The repetitive nature of pandemic life gets to us all.  Here Toby is enjoying some azzip.  Which gets its name from the word "pizza" spelled backwards, and is made by turning homemade pizza upside-down. Note that this pizza has mozzarella cheese that was dyed green, as per Toby's request, when the pizza was made. The "off" color is a design choice, not an indication of poor quality.  

Snowy Day Activity: Paint-by-numbers! First step is to envision the process. A closer look at the horse picture we'll be painting. I think we nailed it! The final product. The lesson? Never let instructions get in the way of your artistic vision.  

Checking out mom's pins and needles, proving the theory that there's an implicit attraction to anything that's just out of reach.  

Playing in the snow is exhausting! Sometimes you just have to lie down and take a break. (Note: this is much more comfortable if you're wearing snow pants.)  

Sometimes silly just finds you and you've got to run with it. Toby: "Dad, look - it's on my head!" Dad: "Ha! Look at us! We both have cars on our head!" Mom: "My boys are both goofballs, but if you can't beat 'em..."  

We painted the snow! But forgot to get pictures of the finished canvas. (Also, known as, "it's not hoarding if you ever actually use the empty ketchup bottles you've been storing under the sink for the past year". In my defense, it's been anamed atypical year.)