My schedule is pretty busy with work, so I have to carefully plan shopping days. I wanted to go out this past Saturday — without children — to get things finished (okay, started). That plan fell through, so I took leave of my senses this past Thursday, and just after getting paid, I packed both the kids into the car and went to the mall. Six and a half hours later, we returned home. That's right, I got ALL my shopping done. In one day. With both of the kids (3 years and 1 year). By myself.

I rock.

Before you start thinking that I'm some sort of super-parent, I'll tell you that I squished Grace's finger between the wall and a shopping cart this afternoon.

She said, "Moms, don't pay attention to the way Dad does things."

Now before I get started, I want to make it very clear that this is NOT going to be one of those "silly fumbling Daddy just can't get the poopy diaper right" deals that seems to pass as high comedy on today's sitcoms. I detest that nonsense and, frankly, find it insulting. However, it is true that my wife and I do certain things differently. For example:

• I have washed my son off with the sprayer in the kitchen sink. I'm pretty sure my wife has not.
• I told Grace that sticking raspberries on the ends of her fingers is "funny." I think "rude" was the word my wife used.
• I've noted that I think it's a riot when Grace's  poo-poo "looks like tortellini."

I'm sure you see where this is going.

Today is a day for celebration, people! String up the piñata and put out a tray of cocktail weenies, because we have managed to keep Boomer alive for six days. Boomer is my daughter's preschool mascot, a brown and white guinea pig who has been living with us for the past week.

I'm just so happy that he survived his time at our house, as I was sure he was going to get overfed (Grace is 3), underfed (I am lazy), overchewed (we have a dog) or over-smashed (William is 1). I observed our triumph this morning by giving Boomer few extra apple slices. Grace celebrated with a screaming tantrum because we had to return him to school.

Doctors and parents are always talking about our children reaching certain developmental "milestones," referring to those age-specific skills that children acquire as they grow. They hold their heads up, sit on their own, creep and crawl around, and then stand and walk. We look forward to the day when Jr. first flashes a smile, turns his head when his name is called and utters his initial words and sounds. Moments after my Grace took her first timid step, in fact, I called my own parents 400 miles away, just to share the excitement. These are the magical days when our little ones achieve all of their "firsts."

This post is not about those days.

Grace reached a brand new milestone of her own this autumn. You see, she no longer takes a nap. I've been selfishly trying to deny that her napping days are over, but I think I've finally come to terms with the facts. Here is a brief history.