Kids pick up things from you mostly when you're not paying attention. The other day, I made a suggestion to Griffin and he responded, "That's genius, Daddy. You're a genius."

You know what's great about my kids? Everything. Time just passes and everyday I realize a little more how cool they are.

I had a great weekend with Griffin. Big news: He started swimming at Grammy's pool this weekend!! No vest, no floaties - just winging it. Mostly he's treading water, but he can actually move himself horizontally from time to time. What a blast!

The girls had their big play this weekend: Dr. Doolittle. Berit and Rowan were both pirates. Berit's line was, "This is my tree. I found it first!" and Rowan's was, "Aarrrrgh...but no carrots!"

Last night I moved a futon from the attic, where I've been sleeping with Griffin, to his bedroom. It takes up more space than the little tiny kid bed he's never slept in, but at least he and I can sleep in a room that's not unbearably hot at night.

He told me this morning that he wanted to put it back the way it was "last year." I think it's because it interferes with his castles and his little people.

It's been so long.

Griffin: "When I grow up I'll be a Daddy. And when you grow up, Daddy, you will be a boy. And I will hold your hand."

Yesterday, Berit lost the first of her two front teeth and got $3 for it from the tooth fairy.

Rowan is very much into the gymnastics and climbing up and flipping off of me. We started doing this number where I would raise her up onto my shoulders and then she would jump off into the love sack. Today, it went awry however, and Rowan ended up going straight down and hurting herself.

Bad Daddy. No more of that trick.

Griffin has gotten to be very good at communicating and has evolved from his barbarian-boy 2nd year to his sensitive third year. If we get mad at him, or don't give him what he feels he deserves, he'll often burst into tears and sulk off crying, "Daddy's not my friend anymore..."

Today, Rowan hiked all the way to the top of Mt. Sanitas with Pam and I. She's definitely our little hiker! Didn't complain once, kept right on pushing it all the way to the top! We were flabbergasted. Next: Berit.

Some little boys at the YMCA kid center were telling Griffin that his cowboy boots were "girl boots." He pretty much took it in stride, looking at them like they were idiots as they were obviously "boy boots." (I, however, felt like showing those boys who was wearing girl boots.)