What can I say about today?

I can say that it was not great.

I can also say there was a long list of crimes committed by a boy.

This boy?


Yes, this boy.


Hand vacuum contents all over new couch. Marker on the carpet. Purposeful splattering of yogurt on self, table, chairs, and floor. Purposeful spilling of water on basement couch. Not to mention three potty accidents, but I realize that I should not get upset at a three-year old for such things because they are, after all, just accidents.

When it comes down to it, I know it was all my fault. I was not engaged and attentive the way I usually am. I was distracted and determined to do all the laundry, put clean sheets on beds, clean the whole house, and sand railing spindles. Laundry and cleaning can't always be neglected, but spindles? Get with the program, Ie Li.

After Steve got home and we sat down at the table together, Mei Li asked me why I looked sad. I told her that I was tired. Mei Li and Stephen then proceeded to make silly faces and asked if that made me feel better. It did make me feel better. I especially loved the face where Stephen smooshed his cheeks in to make a fish face.

It reminded instantly of his huge baby cheeks. Sometimes I miss that baby. I also knew that I would miss this energetic, loud, funny, trouble-maker three-year-old someday.

Stephen and I made up by the end of the day. While Steve and Mei were on their daddy-daughter date, we snuggled and I gave him a lullaby concert. I sang him song after song after song. He requested the song "Baptism" three times. We talked about baptism after the third time singing about it and I asked him:

"Do you know who's going to baptize you, Stephen?"

Then Stephen's eyes got wide and he whispered intensely, "John" (as in John the Baptist).

I laughed and said, "no, you silly, Dad's going to baptize you. When you're eight."

"Oh." Then he laughed and smiled and sucked his fingers (some things haven't changed).

There were happy notes from today:

Stephen and Mei Li painted pictures for their art gallery.

Stephen put on a really funny dancing show for us.

While Mi Na and Stephen napped, Mei Li and I read books together and she practiced reading words herself.

We tickled and snuggled with Mi Na.

Mei went on her first daddy-daughter date with ice cream AND hot chocolate and she came home grinning and twirly. She's so big now. I couldn't help but scoop her up and hold her for a little while.


Stephen got out of his bed when they got home. So Steve read to them and it was cute.


Here's to an engaged and attentive tomorrow!