The in-laws were here last weekend to safeguard the world from the gremlins while Geekster and I went to do grownup wedding stuff. The next day, before driving three hours back home, they wanted to take Spawnling to Build-a-Bear as an early birthday present.

Our nearly-three-year-old currently has a propensity toward cats. He goes through various stages, as little horned ones often do, as much to keep us on our toes as anything else, I'm sure. Just a week before, he was into dogs and not much else. Buying anything for him more than a few days in advance could have dire consequences, as we may discover firsthand when he opens his Cars' racetrack on his birthday. Lightning McQueen may not be all that come Monday.

We were happy to discover that there are presently three cats to choose from at Build-a-Bear. There's a tabby cat, a snow leopard, and that other one; the one he probably won't want because it's purple and obviously a girl cat, and Spawnling likes all his toys to be boys right now. It's a penis thing, I guess. I don't question it.

Except that the purple cat was the one he wanted more than anything else in the entire store.

And he named it 'Diego'.

Diego is not only purple but has sparkles in his beautiful fur. He has lovely long eyelashes that I can't help but envy and couldn't possibly acquire without sporting some falsies from the drugstore. His nose is dainty and sweet, but not as gorgeous as the black satin bow on his tail.

...Except it's not a bow, apparently. It's a bone. And you can't argue with Toddlerface, because he's not asking for your damn opinion, thank you very much.

And his outfits? Why, Diego as two: he's a police officer by day and an adventurer/fisherman by night. How strong! How character-building! And, with the exception of Lara Croft, how rather,well, masculine. You'd almost think Diego chose careers and hobbies that proved, above all else, that is rather macho. There's nothing like making a drug bust, discovering an ancient civilization and going bass hunting on the same day to show the world just how tough you are.

But you know something? I'm proud of Diego. No matter how he started out in life - whether he was a female feline with a deep longing to run with the tomcats, or a male kitten with exceptionally high cheekbones and great fur who dreamed of high speed chases - he is more than welcome in our family. We are accepting and loving of all stuffed animals, whether purple or black, sparkly or camouflaged, long-lashed or snarling and foamy.

Welcome to our home, dear friend.

Here is a video I took yesterday morning of the purrfect pair:



Spawnling, like his big brother gremlins, is allowed the space and freedom to be who he is, purple cat and all. Intrepid had a dollhouse, Gutsy nursed all his teddy bears and Spawnling likes strollers and cats who don't fall neatly into gender stereotypes. Aren't we raising well-rounded children? Oh, I think so. It's just another shining example of our excellent parenting.

(And if you ask the boys what they had for breakfast this morning and they answer 'chocolate chip cookies', don't believe them. It's all lies.)