Potty Training

Princess Teacup (handing the M.O.M. a gift she recently received): "Mommy. Open."

M.O.M. (sitting up on the couch): "OK sweetie.  Oh, this looks like fun!  The little doll comes with a potty!  You can help her go to the bathroom baby."

Princess Teacup (clapping her hands): "Yay! Bathroom!"

M.O.M. (opening the package and handing her the doll): "Here you go love."

Princess Teacup (grabbing the doll and miniature potty): "Thank you Mommy!"

Me (looking down at her): "That's kind of cool.  It might help us with her potty training."

Princess Teacup (setting the miniature toy potty on the floor in front of the couch): "Bathroom!"

M.O.M. (smiling): "Yes baby.  You can help the little girl use the potty!"

Princess Teacup (promptly sitting down on top of the miniature toy potty on the floor in front of the couch): "Potty!"

Me: "Aaaaand, of course, that's precisely what she would do."

A Letter to Future Sippy Cup (26)

Hey kid,

Yesterday was a cool, cloudy and rainy day.

For the first time, in a very long time, we got the chance to spend the entire day hanging out at home.

You, your sister, your mother and I all got up early, ate breakfast together, played games together, watched movies together, read books together, took afternoon naps together.  We spent 12 waking hours together and did everything as a family.

These kinds of days are few and far between.  And, since nothing momentous happened, these are the kinds of days that are so easily forgotten.

Nevertheless, I just want you to know that yesterday was perfect.

And I can't wait for the next cool, cloudy and rainy day.

Love,
Dad

Quick Learner

Princess Teacup (dancing in circles): "My butt!"

Me (trying to hide my laughter): "Ok. This needs to stop."

Princess Teacup (laughing maniacally): "My butt! My butt Daaeee!"

Me: "Listen love, you need to stop saying that.  It isn't very nice.  And it's rude."

Princess Teacup: "Rude?"

Me: "Yes baby. I know it's funny.  But you can't keep saying it all the time."

Princess Teacup (walking away): "Ok booty face!"

"Hey! Who dat?"

Me (settling down to dinner at my parent's house): "This smells and looks delicious.  Thanks Mom."

Princess Teacup (roughly sliding down into her chair and whispering): "Ouch. My butt."

- Everyone at the table bursts out laughing -

Princess Teacup (eyeing everyone suspiciously): "My butt?"

- Everyone bursts out laughing again -

Princess Teacup (smiling): "My butt!"

Me (sensing danger and turning to the M.O.M.): "Uh-oh. Don't you realize what's happening?"

- Louder and more pronounced laughter drowns out my words -

Princess Teacup (standing up on the chair): "My butt! My butt! My butt!"

Me (shaking my head): "She's discovered punchlines."

Princess Teacup (banging on the table with her spoon): "Hey! Who dat? My butt!"

No Matter What

Me (putting on my jacket): "Ok guys, I'm getting ready to leave for work."

Sippy Cup (in a voice which is increasingly deeper each day): "Ok Dad. Bye. I love you."

Me (kissing him on the top of his head): "I love you too. I'll see you later.  Have a good day at school."

Princess Teacup (holding up her hand): "Bye Daaee! Five?"

Me (kneeling down so that I can give her a high-five): "Bye Lady Baby.  I love you."

Princess Teacup (opening her eyes wide with concern): "Coming back Daddy?"

Me (freshly awash in the post-vacation getaway guilt): "Yes love. No matter what. Daddy will always come back."