Me: The other train driver will probably get mad and tell him to get off. Train drivers aren’t supposed to sit on each other.

Torsten: Unless they want to, Mama. Then they can do it.

Me: (pause)

Me: You’re exactly right, Torsten. Then it’s just fine.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Kiddo was only tired the last little bit, and there was a long stretch at the airplane museum in the middle.

I don’t think I had a real bike until I was nearly six, and I wasn’t very steady on it until a while later. Not that T is ready for the training wheels to come off, but for day 2, I’m pretty impressed. I’m glad we got that Laufrad for him… his balance is really great because of it (you were right, Samer!)!

So, this week, kiddo:

1. Magically decides to be potty trained. Three accidents, none of the truly disgusting kind, and is suddenly excited about underwear. (He has been refusing up to this point.) Sneaks off to the bathroom to poop, comes back all proud. Can I tell you how nice it is not to change those diapers?
2. Sits down, messing around, and types his own name on the computer, without help, while we aren’t looking.
3. Writes his name, which is long, with just a little help on the S’s and N’s. Yeah, I don’t care if your kid has been writing since he was two. This is awesome, and nyahh nyahh nyahh (Competitive parents drive me bats. We’re just proud of T when he makes leaps, and this week has been a big one for him).
4. Rides a mamatruckin’ bicycle. Like, a real one.

I love my kid. Hard to believe three-and-a-half years ago he was half this size and newly-born. He amazes me constantly.

Also? He is the funniest person in the world. Nyahh nyahh.

For example, child has figured out that Mama and Papa’s carefully-crafted “you’re in trouble” façades are, in fact, just that. Or at least he’s figured out how to change “you’re in trouble” to “you’re really funny”.

This morning, when a very very sick Mama was struggling to get Torsten dressed, Torsten did not want to get dressed. Mama came back from England two days ago and Torsten would much rather hang out and play with Mama.

And so I made a sad face, the one I make when I’ve had to tell him to do something one-too-many times and I realize he’s not listening to my voice anymore.

Torsten: Mama, don’t cry…

Me: Ok, I’m not crying. I’m just sad.

Torsten: Shh… shhh… don’t be sad. Shhh… don’t be sad Mama.

Me: <sad face>

Torsten: Don’t be sad, Mama… Think about BRAINS!

(N.B. Torsten is on a Zombie kick after hearing Jonathan Coulton’s “Re: Your Brains“. He’s only ever heard the chorus, but that is apparently enough…)

Me: *snort* *chortle* *laugh*

Torsten: *victorious face*

Keep in mind, my child is not even three yet.

We are so screwed.

I love it.

The result:

Ok, so it’s early… we had the pumpkin. So what.

Compare the above picture of my big pumpkin at two-and-three-quarters to my big pumpkin at -1 month:

The time, it flies…

(As usual, the password to view the video is “smurf“)

Click here to view the embedded video.