Why do they call the small candy bars the "fun sizes"? Wouldn't it be more fun to eat a big one?

The other day, a kid came around to our house to sell us candy - one of those Big Bars - for $8. The theory he was peddling was that if we bought the candy from him, he would not join a gang. We were not really convinced on the logistics, but bought the story candy anyway. Later, X saw the kid in our neighborhood talking on his cell phone and the kid did not even acknowledge X when he said hello to him. *sigh*
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So. Before I begin my following story let me say that X and I are not Those Parents. Sure, X is That Dad, but I am not That Mom. Lest you think that we are stupid enough to indulge a 2 year in his arachnoidal fantasies simply because we have not learned how to resist those huge gemstones eyes, let me assure you that between the two of us, X and I can say "no" in about 5 different languages. So......

Um. We bought a tarantula the other night.

A beautiful, soft, pink-toed tarantula to be specific. She is 6 years old, not quite fully grown. Truly, she is just beautiful and the way pink-toed Ts walk is just wicked cool. X casually mentioned getting a tarantula, I did the research and 2 hours later we came home with Sofia.

Innernets, Meet Sofia.
Sofia, Innernets.

Yes, we are the Crazy People. Yes, I am worried about getting bitten. Yes, I have handled her and taken her out of her cage.

But.

I have been peering at the tarantulas at the pet store for months now. Two weeks ago, I saw Sofia walk for the first time and was mesmerized because it was so cool. I know the guy at the pet store quite well and when we went to look at her, I sat talking with him and another customer about tarantulas. I realized with a shock at some point that I knew what I was talking about and that I could totally hang. I knew then, that we could get the tarantula and be okay. And then, I handled Sofia and it was so amazing to see her walk. Seriously, the way pink-toed Ts walk is awesome.

Sofia is actually low-maintenance and no, she is not poisonous (to humans, that is. I would like to offer my sincerest condolences to the crickets currently dwelling in her cage.) Her cage needs to be cleaned every 6 months, she needs about 4 crickets (8 cents a piece) about every 2 weeks and a bit of special water every 2-3 days. She will never pee on my bed, my clothes or my carpet. And yes, she could bite me someday (although, realistically, she has not bitten anyone in the 3 months the petstore has had her). I have been bitten and scratched by cats and dogs (and specifically, I have been attacked by a Chow AND a St. Bernard. A tarantula? Not nearly as terrifying as a Chow, in my book.)

And her name? I went to the Social Security website and looked at the top 10 baby girl names for kicks.

So. There you have it. I guess that will nix my hosting many playdates in the future.

And to make up for the Ick Factor, here are some snaps of my baby girl's Morning Hair. Until a wide-toothed comb makes its way through the briar patch, it is pretty scary on its own!