I wasn’t worried at first, and I suppose I’m still not worried per se – I mean, he’ll start wanting to wear normal clothes at some point – right? Because I’m pretty sure that when he goes to college in 15 years the hipsters will have all moved on from ironic-80′s and found a different way to embarrass themselves.

Listening: The Folk Implosion

And today is the last day.

Harrison is graduating to pre-school – a Montessori school within walking/biking distance of our house! I cannot accurately express the joy of not having to commute – sometimes an hour – to take our kid to day care just to turn around and come back home for work.

I wasn’t sure about Montessori and we won’t really know until we give it some time, but, I believe that it is a great fit for H.

It is a sad day because it means that he is growing up and moving on to a new chapter, but, as with every ending – it means a new beginning. Harrison will miss Chelsea and Finny, but, he is, as we hoped he would be, a confident kid who is always ready for new adventures. We head to California tomorrow morning. We will be gone for three weeks – seeing family, friends, camping and hanging in Truckee and when we get back he starts school. Harrison is already talking about how at school there will be girls there. And lots of kids. And how they will sleep on the floor for naps – he’s excited. I’m concerned that they don’t serve organic snacks, but, if that’s my biggest concern – I think we’re going to be just fine.

Listening: Caribou

And while Harrison loved it and immediately donned the hat, vest, badge and tools, extinguisher, walkie-talkie, etc… he was, per usual, more interested in the book that came with it.

And then he saw himself in the mirror and was quite impressed:

Listening: Band Of Skulls

“Ride MY bike.” is pretty much the only thing the kid wants to do these days – inside the house and out. Morning and night. As soon as he wakes and instead of going to sleep. Even while he watches TV:

Marc is pretty darn proud.

Listening: Ty Segall

This is Harrison’s “serious face.” He can and will put it on at almost at any time. And can hold it even while we all crack up. And only when he senses that the joke has been fully appreciated will he start to smile. It is kind of awesome.

Listening: Male Bonding

Listening: Talkdemonic

Fireman Small.

Fireman Small was a birthday gift from Aunty “Booklady” Margaret. My Aunt Margaret has been building Harrison’s library since he was born. Filling his shelves with some of our most favorites:

fun rhyming books,

beautifully illustrated landscape/science books,

monster-love books,

and north-west America native folklore books among others.

All of which we treasure and Harrison loves.

THANK YOU AUNTY MARGARET!!!

Listening: Yawn

RAD.

Listening: The Morning Benders

She arrived early before adult-dinner-time for a glass of wine and to brave the almost-two-year-old infested waters.

Harrison was smitten with her and asked if she’d care to share his grilled cheese with him.

And right before he outstretched his arm with sandwich in-hand he licked it from crust to gooey, cheesy inside.

She was not impressed.

Listening: The Ponys

Marc got carried away and covered an entire piece of pineapple with hot sauce and let H throw the whole thing back – all the while, boasting how “This kid can eat hotter food than his Grandpa!”… when all of a sudden Harrison’s face went pale. He looked at us, stunned for a second. Then started scratching at his tongue while his eyes watered.

I guess we reached his limit.

At this point, let me recall an exchange between Harrison and me from before dinner.

While I was preparing our food, Harrison spied some juice boxes in the fridge that were left over from his party. And with the 2-year-old birthday-entitlement still enveloping his little brain. He demanded that he get one. Then he cried and threw a fit – and not even a good fit – it was totally weak. Kid – you’re going to have to do way better than that if you’re going to get me to bow to your whims. So, I calmly explained to him that “those were left over from his party and that they were for emergencies only.”

To which he softly replied, “Emergency now.”

At which point I smiled and said, “You are very smart – and manipulative – but, no, now is not an emergency.”

OK – back to the hot sauce burning a hole through my kid’s tongue.

Milk! We need milk to extinguish the blaze. I run to the fridge and as I reach for the straw-cup I see something better… a way to put out the fire and simultaneously make his whole freaking day by spoiling him rotten without giving in to his mediocre two-year-old tantrums… juice box!

I yell over to H, “It’s an emergency! It’s an emergency!” and I hand him the sugary-goodness.

After guzzling half of it he takes a breath and says, “…saves the day.”

Listening: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros