Seemingly out of the blue on Friday, my son said to me: "You're an at home dad, aren't you?"

I started to laugh, because I could not recall when that term had been said in his presence--at least not any time recently. "Yes, I am," I replied.

"Why?"

I'll spare you my answer, but I must say it was odd to hear him say that phrase, at home dad. (And it certainly shows I have some work to do in making 'full time father' a household name--my own son doesn't even use it to describe me!)

But his tone also made me recall a piece from New York magazine that included an item about bratty teenage girls in Manhattan who complain to their at home moms that they wish their moms did cool work stuff like their friend's moms.

Is that where we're headed???

----

This is a great age. Almost 3. He loves music, loves dancing, everything is still fun for him. Can it get any better than this?
- posted by Michael @ 3:47 PM

 
Today's dilemma: when is some ink on the face or hands too much?

My son wants to use his ink stamp to cover his hand in ink or cover his face in it. Mom is not pleased. Dad is unsure.

It does not seem to be causing a rash or anything, although I’m not big on having faith in Communist China’s strict adherence to accurate labeling, etc. (All this stuff is made in China.)

But we have not yet found a brand that washes off very quickly. RECOMMENDATIONS?

So he goes around town looking like he has ink all over his hands and face…because he DOES!

Is it harmless fun? A case of me not enforcing sensible limits? I don’t know.

I guess I figure, if he’s having fun, and it does not involve danger, and he’s not stamping the furniture or his friends, what’s the problem?

Lots of snow here. He sledded for 3 minutes. That left lots of time today to stamp himself silly. Please advise.

- posted by Michael @ 7:07 PM

 
My son's grandmom and grandpop bought him a new bike for Christmas--he test-drove it this week at Toys R Us. It's a BIG BIKE--my little guy is growing up!

Watching him ride this BIG BIKE was a bit disturbing. He fell three times--once in a way that looked disastrous. But he walked away, fine.

Story idea for any journalists who stumble upon this: how do the parents of NASCAR drivers watch their kids speed around the track? Does it get easier when the kid's all grown up? (My mom insists no.)

The other thing that entered my mind as I watched him bike through the aisles of this empty toy store: before too long, he'll bike out of my site, and I'll just have to wave, smile and wait for him to come home.

YIKES!!!

Man, this parenthood thing is moving fast.
- posted by Michael @ 5:47 PM

 
Language, imagination, humor--these things are exploding again, as we approach his third birthday. This is a great age.

Of course, I can't think of a single anecdote at the moment, and by the time I do, he'll be up and I won't have time to update this.

So you'll just have to trust me.

We just got back from the beach, which is always fun. 50 paces from the warm Carribean Sea in one direction, and 50 paces from the pool in another, yet we spent an incredible amount of time playing with the foot shower--the one you use to remove sand from your feet.

At least I could hear the calming sounds of waves....
- posted by Michael @ 9:16 AM