I thought it was exciting when Dominic started using words.
Then I thought it was great when he was potty trained.
I was so proud of him when he started school.
But I have to say, it’s totally awesome that he is old enough and knows how to use the espresso machine and is willing to make me lattes. (He is clever: he says “do you want a latte, mom?” and when I say “sure, that would be great!” he answers “can I have one too?”)
Yay, Dominic! 
I don’t have kids and plan on never having any, but I did a fair amount of babysitting back in the day. I have to say, the most amazing thing about wee ones getting older is watching them learn new words. They just soak them up without noticing, and suddenly one is using a word just because I used it earlier, having picked up the meaning from context automatically.
Blew my mind every single time I noticed it happening. It’s so constant and automatic it’s easy to not notice the process at all.
Seeing them evolve from a completely self-centered “me”-oriented individual to someone who has capacity for compassion and empathy and all that other good stuff. And watching them silently get the “a-ha” moment is fascinating, too. You can just see the little gears turning in their heads.
At fourteen, our eldest is just starting to get sexual innuendo. Her mother and I have been having a lot of fun messing with her head.
Enjoy,
Steven
I LOVE being able to send the kids to the store to pick something up. Before if we were out of milk I had to load all 4 kids into the car, lug them to the store, deal with kids wandering off and whining and wanting sweets. It was such a hassle.
Now I can just say, “Hey Alex, please go get a gallon of milk from the store. Here’s $3, keep the change.”
Very cool!
Also, the rule in our house is that all kids over the age of 10 have to cook one meal a week for the family. It’s great to wake up on a Saturday morning, stay in bed and smell the scrambled eggs cooking!
Haha! Same with Dominic! (He’s also 14). We’ll say something and he will be like “are you talking about–HEEEEY!!!” and look all offended or embarrassed. Heh.