My little girl is growing up and it is indeed fun to see all the changes. Now three-and-a-half, she is old enough to really understand things. . . more than I could ever imagine.

Just Sunday she and I were at the playground when another little boy, who I didn’t know, came by after his t-ball game finished. They began playing together, giggling and having great fun. I enjoyed the smiles as I watched from outside the jungle gym. At one point they were crawling through a pipe-like structure when Joellen said, “I love you.”

Since I wondered if I had indeed heard her correctly, I confirmed the exchange during our walk back to the ballfields. Upon arrival I told my sister about the declaration. Joellen interjected, “But he didn’t love me!”

“Was he nice?” Betsy asked.

“Yeah,” she said with a slightly raised eyebrow.

“Was he cute?” Betsy inquired again.

“Yeah!”?she said with a bit more enthusiasm and a twinkle in her eye.

I know, I’m in trouble. I’ve been told that many times and I know it. But what can you do when you hear that train a ‘comin?

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Earlier in the week Joellen came to me in my bedroom and told me she wanted to sit on my lap in the recliner and have me read a book to her. This, I’m sure like in many households, is our nightly ritual. I said, “Okay, go kick daddy out of the recliner.” I might add this is also a common phrase before the ritual begins.

“Okay!” was her enthusiastic reply.

Then I hear her run into the living room and her Daniel yell, “Ow! Why’d you kick me?!”

I guess you could say she follows instructions well.

Saturday we went to Cabela’s at the Highlands and she and I were looking at the mountain covered with animals. I was pointing out various ones telling her the names. When I said, incorrectly, that one was a buffalo, she began singing, “Buffalo Cow won’t you come out tonight, come out tonight. . .”