My kids just completed their second week at their new preschool. So far, both Mark and I have been really impressed with the program, and Jafta and India seem to be having fun, too. I think Jafta is slowly realizing he doesn't need to follow India around on the playground to protect her from things like pretend guns (which he is doing in the photo). And India has managed to wait to poop her pants until after she gets home. Um, yeah. The potty training. Not going so well. Every day when I pick . . .

{our independence day: a story in pictures}We had a great 4th of July yesterday. Mark started the day off with one of his favorite activities: putting something together. We bought a trampoline and Mark and his dad mulled over the instructions to make sure they got it right. Five hours later, here is the assembled trampoline. Except, somehow, the net is not aligned with the frame, so the entrance is askew and the whole thing must be taken apart. Two hours, five beers, and several curse words . . .

I have grossly underestimated my four-year-old.We are having some issues with sleep in our house. People are often asking me how Karis is sleeping. And for a newborn, she is sleeping okay. It's the other two that decided to up the ante since Karis was born. I am pretty sure that the three of them have a daily meeting where they discuss the shifts they will cover to ensure an even spread of waking us up throughout the night. Generally, India starts screaming bloody murder around 1am. Then around . . .

Karis has some serious baby dandruff (cradle cap). I've been reading up on how to care for it and the consensus is to rub baby oil all over the baby's head. It sounded simple enough, but now Karis's head is a big greasy mess that is leaving an oilspot on everything she touches. I was trying to figure out a way to cover her head, and I remembered we still had some do-rags left from Jafta's foray with dreadlocks. Worked like a charm.(And for all you white folk from Orange County, click here to . . .

Karis is a generally easy and mellow baby. She is pleasant and predictable. She smiles and coos and is happy when her needs are met. There is one exception, though.Karis doesn't like Mark.I don't know how they got off on the wrong foot, but she is NOT a fan. Which is kind of a bummer for me. (I supposed it's a bigger bummer for him. But I also prefer to think about how things are affecting me. Me me me.) Whenever I pass her to him, she immediately starts screaming. Lately, she has taken to . . .

I wasn't close with cousins growing up. My mom was an only child. My dad's sister had children but they lived far away and we only saw them occasionally. So it has been a new experience to be an aunt and know a close relationship with my neices and nephews. I have to say that seeing the love that my kids have for each other, and seeing their love for their cousins, is enough to make this cynical mom's heart burst with joy. This weekend we got some great time in with the cousins on Mark's side. . . .