Finny explains the dangers of the play-structure:

Harrison: “I caught a bug in my hat… that’s silly.”

Finny scares Harrison:

Pretty cute stuff.

Listening: Beulah

Then a couple weeks ago, H went to the back door window – where Finny would arrive each day during the year-and-a-half nanny-share arrangement – and had a conversation with his old pal:

“Finny? You good Finny? You good?”

“Oh good.”

It was incredibly cute, so immediately set up a play date for his long-lost friend. We got to share a squeal-filled hour at the playground in the scorching heat on Saturday with Finny and his parents… everyone involved agreed that it was totally worth the near-heat-exhaustion.

Listening: Washed Out

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

“Lucy. Has brown hair. Went in tunnel witha me.”

Apparently Harrison spent some time in the tunnel and on the turtle at the park with Lucy. Stroking her hair and talking in a partially-coherent 2-year old language – according to Chelsea.

Chelsea also reported that while H was flirting with his new friend, Finn realized that his buddy was no longer with him on the slides. When he found H with Lucy in the tunnel, H promptly told him, “We’re just relaxing, Finny.”

Listening: Beach Fossils

Finn: “I miss Daddy”

Harrison: “He’s at work.”

Finn: “I miss Daddy”

Harrison: “He’s at work.”

Finn: “I miss Daddy”

Harrison: “He’s. At. Work.”

Apparently there was a hint of frustration in H’s voice nearing the end of the exchange.

This is obviously barely a true conversation, but, oh my gosh do I think it’s amazing. And so darn cute considering they started together like a couple of virtually lifeless blobs, drooling on themselves and grunting out commands for food and the removal of soiled undergarments.

Listening: The Cults

RAD.

Listening: The Morning Benders

On Friday, Chelsea – the nanny – put a big sign on the playroom door that said “KEEP OUT – private project inside”.  So cute. I had a feeling it was a Mother’s Day project – and it was. Later that afternoon I went to check in and say hi. Chelsea whispered to H if he wanted to give me a present and he said “YE-AH!” So, I closed my eyes and waited.

Who knew egg cartons, tissue boxes and foam letters could be so beautiful.

Thank you Chelsea – for the Mother’s Day gift made from common household trash that I will likely keep out on the counter for way too long, store away in a box to find it years from now and cry over when Harrison is off living his fabulous life and no longer calls me on Mother’s Day. Seriously, I love it.

Listening: Bob Dylan

Listening: Deer Tick (yay – saturday!)

Zoe.

…and the angels sang.

He apparently followed her lead with the enthusiasm of a hungry, lost puppy.

Zoe: “Wanna go on the slide?”

Harrison: “YEAH!”

Zoe: “Wanna go to the swings?”

Harrison: “YES! YEAH! SWINGS!”

During the traffic-ridden drive home from Finny’s house I was bombarded with sudden bursts of memories of the day.

Harrison: “ZOE!”

Harrison: big smile – the kind that has been historically only reserved for Aunt Kylies

Me: “Is that your new friend’s name?”

Harrison: “Yee-ah!”

Me: “Is she nice?”

Harrison: shy smirk “yuh.”

Me: “What was she wearing?” – trying to elevate our conversation out of the typical yes-and-no-answer banter.

Harrison: “A jacket”

Me: “Did she have a hat on?”

Harrison: “Yes.”

Me: having seen the photo from yesterday I knew better – “Are you sure?”

Harrison: “A hood.”

Me: “Yes! A hood! She had a hood on!” – I take my victories where I can get them.

Time passes.

Harrison: “ZOE!!!!!”

Me: “Zoe! That’s right…” UGH! Let’s be honest – how long can you make small-talk about a toddler-relationship.

Time passes.

Harrison: “ZOOOOOEEEEE – play!”

Harrison – dude, come now… let’s attempt to implement what we’ve been working on at home. What? You think that all that talk about “practice patience”, “let’s be calm”, “chill out” is about US keeping OUR sanity? NO NO – these are life lessons my boy… Lessons that will lead to success in life, career and let’s be honest – most importantly – with the ladies.

Listen up! I may be a girl… but, I landed a pretty amazing life-partner.

You may want to start taking notes.

Listening: Deer Tick

Listening: Built To Spill (because they are the greatest band. ever. sorry Radiohead.)