Kai turns 3 on Friday. Dax turns 1 next Monday. And the party (of which I’m probably thinking way too hard about) is this Saturday. I’ll probably be gone for a few days. So let me leave you with San-Francisco-based Scissors for Lefty.

{Photograph by Jen Gotch}

These pictures buoy me up at a time I feel particularly bogged down. I seem to have a zillion projects hanging over my head. And those projects don’t even include housework. But they may include catching up on Heroes and The Office.

Oh, and before I sign off. Tonight, at the critical hour of 7pm, Kai was winding up and up (as usual) and being his crazy self. Dancing around the living room he sang,

“Deeee-DO! Dee-Do!”

On and on (we kind of tune him out after a while),

“Deeee-DO! Dee-Do!

Then,

“B!%CH!”

Silence. Then again,

“B!%CH!”

Ryan and I nearly died trying to hold our laughter in. After we recovered, Ryan casually asked, “Wow, Kai. What was that? What did you just say?” We braced ourselves for his response, but Kai just sang out,

“Dee-Do!”

And that was the end of that.

…and goofy kids.

1) Finish painting the kids table. ‘Top Banana’ (topmost swatch above) appears to be working out nicely. In the past, I’ve had easy successes choosing blue, gray, and green paints, but now I know yellows and oranges require more thought. And squinting.

2) Finish website design that involves little guy above. Not going to reveal until the site goes live!

3) Send postcard design off to the printer for a VenturaParent.com event.

4) Finish a frame project that’s been dragging out for months. Some frames I’ve been eying at Target went on clearance a few months back, so I snapped up a couple. Yesterday, I spray-painted them a lovely shade of blueish-gray (still in original color below). Now I just need to find some artwork to go in them and hang the suckers, once and for all.

So, lots of projects mean little sleep (Ryan has been my partner in crime doing the late-night thing, as well). But I can’t help but love what I do, creating, even if means working into the wee hours of the night. Ryan, too — he’s been working on an incredible piano piece, so hopefully soon it’ll be coming at cha. Cleopatra.

Days just need to be longer. Like, 30 hours instead of 24. Wouldn’t that’d be grand?! Mothers everywhere would jump for joy.

Yes, that last pic is urine. Because Kai went pee in the potty today for the first time. Ever. I almost cried. Then, I almost cried again when Dax knocked over the full potty seat.

But it was incredible seeing Kai feel so accomplished and proud of himself. He was beaming and so full of pride, he didn’t ask for any of the treats we’ve been bribing him with all month (lollies, jellybeans, and, um…Chuck E. Cheese).

Update: Kai went again today, Saturday. While exciting, it is also frightening. Just the realization at how fast he’s growing up. He’s also been so conversational as of late; “I like this song, mommy!” or “That makes Jesus very happy in the temple!” Wow. To think he was a little baby in my arms not even three years ago. I’m getting teary-eyed now…

While I’m anxious for fall, I need summer to linger just a little bit longer. Because we haven’t done a family beach day, all summer long (shame on us!). And I want to try the famed, but possibly overrated Pinkberry now that ice cream is back in my diet (hooray!). And we’re not using the pool in our complex as often as we should (lazy me).

But fall…fall will be good. I’m looking forward to cooler weather, to Dax walking, and Kai turning the big 3. Three will be a magical age, I can just tell.

Look at me, I’m miss bakey-bakey, muffin-top lady!

Anyways, the reason I’m writing this post is because “chochi-chip kookies” is like love tonic for Kai; give him a fresh-baked cookie, and all is well and swell. There’s just such a warm, happy feeling as we sit at the table, chomping away on our “sfecial treets” and making funny faces at each other. I really hope I’m creating some positive childhood memories for him, and so glad that I gave baking another go. I dream to one day conquer pie. But just thinking about buttery flour and rolling pins gives me anxiety.

A subdued Kai post-cookie. And a thankful Dax for taming his bro.

]]> http://www.ambrosiagirl.com/blog/lovahhhhh-cookies/feed/ 2 http://www.ambrosiagirl.com/blog/potty-training/ http://www.ambrosiagirl.com/blog/potty-training/#comments Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:31:23 +0000 Jenn http://www.ambrosiagirl.com/blog/?p=802

All I have to say is:

Oh.
My.
Heck.

Never mind you that it’s a humid 80 degrees out. Or, that it clashes against an outfit more beach-town chic than indie/urban. But we’re going to Trader Joe’s in an orange beanie, because Jet wears a beanie, and Jet is the cool neighbor kid that Kai wants to be when he grows up.

Except, Jet’s beanie is black with a skull and crossbones. Kai’s version belongs to his mommy, who purchased it on clearance from Target. But to Kai, it’s a beanie. Just like Jet’s.

*Sigh.* My son is so dang cute with his ways.