When there's a full moon, Britney Spears is sort of sane, and the wind is blowing from the West at precisely 6 mph, I actually cook dinner. It's a rare event, and one that Alexis enjoys immensely. She immediately asks me to pull up the tall stool in our kitchen so that she can sit in front of the stove and "help."

"Help" is, of course, not exactly the right word. She wants to stir and pour and flip and do all sorts of thing that would be wonderful, if she weren't three and completely clueless about the whole HOT thing. So, instead of relaxing as I concoct a little vegetable paella, I spend most of the time trying to distract her and fussing at her not to touch anything.

Despite the fact that she is determined to give me a heart attack by trying to sniff peas as they cook (picture face headed straight for a hot pan--GOOD TIMES!), cooking time with Miss Alexis is one of my favorite times. I get a chance to get caught up on all the good daycare gossip, hear all about how Alexis intends to buy a long flowy dress just like the one Olivia wears to the museum, and listen to whatever song is stuck in her head that day.

All of that is great, but the absolute best part about cooking with Miss Alexis is that she's a fan-freakin-tastic cheerleader. Successfully add a few spices? She will cheer as if you just climbed Mount Everest. Pour some broth without spilling? She hoots and hollers like you just picked winning lottery numbers. And if you manage to crack an egg without making a mess? She rejoices as if you are Ben Roethlisberger and just threw the Super Bowl winning pass to Santonio Holmes.

It's good to have a fan.