Vian and I are playing legos. I accidentally drop a lego piece from the table, we both bend down to get it and bonk our heads. Me: I am sorry, Vian.Vian: (rubbing his head) No appa, I am sorry. Me: I guess we’re both sorry. :)Vian: No appa. I AM SAD, SO I AM SORRY (loudly). Me: Ok. Ok you’re sorry.

Vian is 3 years old which is the minimum age required in this family to be eligible for big boy underwear. So naturally, we started potty training him this week. He’s come a long way since Monday and it is going very well. He does get frustrated by the inconvenience of having to stop playing just to empty his bladder. This morning he declared “I need to wear diapers or else I’m not going to eat anymore**!...

We are at the dining table. I take out the croissant from the bag and place it on a plate in front of Vian. Vian: Appa, what kind of “cossant” is it? Me: It’s a plain croissant, Vian. Vian: No. It’s a bum-bum “cossant”. Me: Huh? Vian: Look it (pointing to his misshapen croissant that looks like a butt). You win this round, Vian.

I sometimes share clean adult jokes that are too clever for a 2 year old to grasp. Sometimes it is fun to see the confused look on his face when he sees me cracking up on my own jokes. Yes, I laugh at my own jokes, moving on. We’re hanging out at a coffee shop and I start with the setup for a great joke. Me: Vian, did you know that humans eat more bananas than monkeys?...

Sempi and I read bedtime books together and discuss the story before he goes to sleep. The story we read had a mention of illegal drugs. Apparently he didn’t know what drugs were. So we discussed what drugs were and how some bad guys can sell drugs to victims and why it is illegal. Suddenly Sempi drops this nugget of wisdom. People are always born to be strong and good. No one is born to be weak or evil....