We LOVE Bristle Blocks

Aunt Feather is here! (pics from the week will be posted soon)

The arrival of Aunt Feather means new toys pulled out of suitcases each day and extra-special-yummy pancakes filled with strawberries for breakfast. Only Aunt Feather doesn't put strawberries in every pancake because Landon (her kid brother) doesn't like fruit in his pancakes; she cuts the strawberries up and inserts them in half the pancakes as they are frying, so that everyone gets made-to-order pancakes.

We're feeling spoiled!

A couple quick stories.

Aunt Feather's first birthday present for Cora (seriously, there's a new present each day) was a set of Bristle Blocks from Lakeshore Learning (where she works). Because Heather works at Lakeshore, she brings the classroom size package of toys, which is pretty stinking awesome. The set that she brought had all of the parts to make cars, helicopters, and boats. It also includes a "family" (daddy, mommy, Cora, and brother... poor Quinn!) and four little red flags.

Cora loves the family. Cora loves the flags.

She walks around with the flags and family. The flags fit perfectly with her obsession with the American Flag (have I mentioned this?). We've been making a big deal about American flags. It started at the Tanger Outlets (the quintessential American location), where there is a ginormous American flag flying high at the entrance. We used it as a toddler distractor while exiting the 25 cent pony ride one evening. We did that a second time. Then, when driving by Rick Hendrick (a car dealership, another truly American establishment...), Landon noticed that the flag was huge, pulled in, opened the sunroof, and sat right under it hoping Cora would become entranced then fall asleep (no such luck). Now Cora notices every flag we pass, excitedly declaring, "Its an Murican Flag!!! Look Mommy!!! EEEsa Murican Flag!". If I'm still not acknowledging the flag with excitment, that's followed by, "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! LooOOOk!!! Murican flag". Even material that's covered in American flag print gets the same reception.

So, these four little red sticks with triangle flags attached to them have become Cora's play version of the American flag, and she becomes frantic about them. "Where's my Murican FLAAAGs?!?!" "It needs an Murican flag on it".

Tuesday morning, Cora sat down for breakfast and set the people up around her plate. It was a rushed morning, so I was getting ready while she ate. I walked in to see her gazing sweetly at the "Mother" bristle block person, then saying, "I love Mommy".

If I could've, I would have bought her a million Murican flags at that moment.