i frequently hypothesize that a successful life involves successful negotiations. Negotiation is a skill that helps us coexist and still get what we need and sometimes want. Scout is an excellent negotiator and often prefaces his attempts with, "How about if we...?"

Today he named, "marshmellows" "marshmelons." Just like he named waffles, "ladders" (and this was before he got verbal and was just signing), he's creating a family vocabulary.

We're trying to get off the diaper habit, which has meant that the past few days i've set the microwave timer to go off every 20 min. or so and then ask/exhort/bribe Scout to sit on the small potty i bring to each room we are in. It's sort of put a cramp in any get of the house plans we might entertain, but it's necessary. i'll be sort of mortified if i have a three year old in diapers.

Scout is very detailed oriented and remembers a lot of minutae. Today, while looking at a tractor sticker book he only can look at while sitting on the potty, he reminded me about the "manure spreading" tractor we'd seen before. He repeated what i'd told him before, how horse and cow poop are good for gardens but people poop isn't.

Eva has evolved into a super smiley, fat cherub. She's really chill and sometimes i'll look down at her while scooting around the kitchen and she's intently staring up at me. She'll then meet my gaze with a grin that lights up her whole body, kicking legs that have rolls covering more rolls. Eva also talks a bit and sticks out her tongue in amusing ways.

i keep trying to catch this adorability on camera but it's hard to do. i hope i carry it with me but i fear i'll forget it in the excitement of all that may yet come.