Today was Jeff's 30th birthday. I can say that because he's a man and it's OK to give away a man's age but not a woman's (for some odd reason I've never understood). I'll be joining him on the other side of the hill in a few short weeks, so I was kind to him on this milestone birthday!

The day started with our usual 2 1/2 mile walk around the neighborhood with temperatures in the upper thirties much to his delight. The last few mornings were quite warm in the fifties so we welcomed the opportunity to don our scarves, hats, and gloves again. I worked all day so he wasn't relieved of Daddy Duty, but Jeff opened presents when we returned from our walk and was delighted by three new LEGO sets. For the second time in as many years, Gavin gave Daddy an Indiana Jones LEGO set.

The boys spent a busy morning playing with LEGOs - Jeff assembling his new kits and Gavin playing with his own Duplo bricks.

Gavin thought Daddy's new Indy gangster car was much more fun than his Duplo car.

Gavin likes to walk around holding his Duplo container lid against his face so the world is tinted green. I'm so proud to say that's half my genes in this photo...

One of Gavin's latest habits is bringing us his new John Deere shape shooter barn. It's just the right size for him to carry around by the handle and he enjoys watching us put the shapes in the holes. Gavin always cheats by putting them all in the circle hole since it's the only one big enough for all of the shapes. Some day he'll learn the difference between a circle and a triangle!

In the evening, Gavin decided to terrorize the cats, as usual. Doozer is smart enough to keep her distance. Burt, however, always puts up with the abuse.

I've said it a million times over the past year, but our Burt is without a doubt the most patient and loving cat ever. He puts up with so much tough love from Gavin and still loves him SO much. It's so cute when he walks up to Gavin and rubs against his legs ... usually less than a minute after Gavin tried to tear his ear off or steal a fist full of fur!

Gmummy read Gavin one of his favorite books, Jazz Baby, as his bedtime neared and he started getting droopy-eyed.

And Daddy finished lulling him to sleep with some Dr. Seuss.