This morning Abby got up early again while I was doing Bible study, but she came out looking so cute (we left her pig-tails in her hair over night) that I took a moment or two to snuggle her.

Later in the morning I got her a cup of milk and she paused from drinking it. Because she was just standing there with her blanket in one hand and her cup of milk in the other I asked, “What are you doing? Are you going to the bathroom?”

“No.”

“Are you drinking your milk?”

“No.”

“What are you doing then?”

“I’m holding my blanket.” [Duh, dad]

Later she found a penny and was holding it. I explained to her that it was a penny (which I think made it more valuable). Then I grabbed a handful of change out of my pocket and began to tell her the names of the different coins. I told her that a nickel was worth five pennies, and that a quarter was worth five nickels or twenty-five pennies. Then a dime was worth two nickels and ten pennies. She soaked up all of this information and then I gave her another nickel and said, “Here’s another nickel.”

With great excitement in her eyes she said, “Another Nickel!” and sat down and marveled at all of the coins. I remember being that excited about things so simple, and I thank the Lord for the joy this little girl brings to our lives. What amazes me is that she will be two next month and twenty the month after that (at at least it seems that way).

This morning Abby wanted an eel. Not just any eel, but the red one with spots on it. Grandpa looked blankly at the counter where Abby was pointing wondering what the eel was. It is my duty as a father to know what it is she wants: dice. There were two dice on the counter and Abby wanted them to play eels and Escalators. Eels and Escalators is a game on a Sponge Bob Squarepants episode (“Sailor Mouth” for those of you keeping track).

Who’d'a thunk it?

I have never eaten at a White Castle Hamburger Restaurant. Today, yet again, we passed one and I mentioned I have not eaten there. Every time I mention this (which is rarely) all those present say, “You’re lucky!” Or other phrases presenting to me the general idea that White Castle is not America’s favorite fast food chain. The other thing that happened after saying this was that Jessica said, “Oh, My gosh! He talks about that all the time.” This sort of inference is wrong and should not be made… I talk about it each time I pass one… mostly to see if Jessica will remind me that I’m going to be disappointed.

Right now my standards for White Castle are so low [given their reputation] that I think that as long as it’s not manure with spit between two pieces of moldy bread I’ll be impressed.

Oh, speaking of potty humor, this morning Abigail was waiting for her bath while Jessica was going to the bathroom and when Jessica had finished Abigail exclaimed, “Good job, you went to the potty, Mommy!” The potty training must be working :)

Abby declared just moments ago, “I Sing Louder!” Followed by, “HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU…” and that’s as far as she got because Jessica silenced her (because her aunts are valiantly trying to sleep in the living room while we function around them).

Jessica then asked me if I had put her up to it. Of course not, Abby is her own creative genius.