Still Livin' The Dream

I had a wonderful day today with my daughter, Bentley (a.k.a. "The Beebs", a.k.a. "Beebers", a.k.a. "Bee Baas"). We turned on the new La Roux album and danced for about an hour (not an exaggeration). We then sat on the ground and rolled a racket ball back and forth. I actually really enjoy rolling the ball back and forth. Don't get me wrong, I like dancing with her too (until I'm exhausted) but there is something about throwing the ball that gets this big little boy excited. After we rolled the ball we layed on our backs and I threw the ball in the air. This only lasted a couple of minutes as she was too antsy.

At about 5:30 or so she said she was hungry so I asked her if she wanted to help me shuck corn. She replied yes even though she had no idea what I was talking about. Leaf by leaf I pulled back so she could grab ahold of it and she pulled them off and piled the husks in a pile on the kitchen floor.





5 corn on the cobs went into a pot to boil and we went out, threw some burgers on the BBQ, swept the deck and watered the plants.

Finally the burgers were ready as well as the corn so we saddled up the highchair and served up the food. I asked her if she'd like to watch a show while we ate and of course "yes" was her reply. I asked myself, what would be a good show for us? I was hoping for a cartoon but had to settle with A-Team. Lets just say A-Team is a little much for a 23 month old little girl (I wish I had a photo of her face as the A-Team played. She stopped mid chew and watched as the tyrant in the show shot guns in the air and yelled at the helpless towns people.). We then moved on to the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. That was boring and by the time it actually started playing we were done eating and it was almost 7 - BATH TIME!

Bath time was cool until she dumped a cup full of water in my lap. I have to admit there were a couple of times that I had to take a breath due to the fact I just wanted to ask her why she was being so difficult but then I did the math - tub full of water + tired 2 year old = water everywhere and crazy dad. Duh.

7:15, dance party again but this time its a "Diaper Dance" and she was on her own while I cleaned up some things. It was at this moment that I was struck by a profound thought - don't leave her to play by herself. I would have all the time I needed to clean up after she layed down for the night. Seize the moment, there are a limited amount of Diaper Dances and pre nigh-night routines, don't let this on slip away. I walked over and turned the music off and asked her if she'd like to read a story in her Bible with Dada. "Yes" was again the reply. I love cuddling with her on our two seater couch. She lays with her binky and bobby (bunny) near the back rest cushions and I lay on the outside and read her Jesus Storybook Bible. We read about God's creative power and how He made the world and everything in it and how he loves, most of all, His children.

7: 40 and off to bed and I rocked her in the rocking chair that is in the corner of her room. We prayed for a number of people as she said their names. I set her in her crib at about 8 and kissed her head goodnight.

See, I told you, I'm living the dream.