Nirvana.

AAAAGGGGHHHH!!!! (BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM)
WAAAUUUUUGGGHHHH!!!! (BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM)

This is the sound of toddler nirvana. Henry took Spence on a tour of his newly remodeled basement, and they came upon the professional drum set that belongs to Henry's mom. In addition to being pristine, tasteful and homey, it can be safely said that Team Mrotz's new basement boasts excellent acoustics.

Otherwise, highlights of the day include Nora devouring an entire jar of organic banana peach oatmeal (or some such combination) in one sitting, walking (holding onto my fingers) the equivalent of several city blocks, and perfecting shy cuteness as she grinned and snuggled into my chest upon being introduced to several strangers today (including community notable Tom Sengupta of Schneider's Drugs on University Ave).

I was betrayed by Dora the Explorer today. Spence tuned in as I prepared his penne and parmesan, and was immediately bombarded by Dora and her colleagues shouting "we all scream for ice cream", rowing a chocolate boat across a chocolate lake to win the ultimate prize-- ice cream. Dora and the narrator wagged their candied tongues incessantly about chocolate. Spence looked up and asked for ice cream; it took some skillful diversion to land him safely at lunch (involving, of course, tickling). It already seems too late for Spence to avoid inheriting my sweet tooth, which is ultimately not so funny or harmless, like most mainstays of the dominant culture.

It's late. I'm torn between the lull of sleep and the lure of solitude and a chance to write. Ah, I knew there was another highlight coming. Spence climbed into bed with Kristy, Nora and I this morning and carefully twined all our hands together, insisting we all had to go downstairs together.

That was the sound of parental nirvana.