Daddy and Daughter night out, New Trick

As often as possible, I come home from work and take my daughter out just the two of us. I started doing them to give my wife a little time to herself without a two year old. I call it Daddy and Daughter Dates (referred to as DDD from now on). It is usually simple things like going on the carousel at the mall, going to the movies or just shopping. Last night was one of those nights.

I got home, changed clothes and loaded Danni up. We first went to Target because I was looking for a notebook for work. Target didn’t have what I want so we just went shopping in the toy section. One of the perks of DDD is that Danni gets to bend the rules. She knows these are things she can only do with Daddy when Mommy is not around. She understands the difference.

We were getting a cart and she asked if she could stand up in the basket part. She doesn’t do that with Mommy. Perk of DDD. She actually only stood for a little while then sat down and enjoyed the space and the ride.

Next we went to the bookstore. We found the journal I was looking for. We then went to the kids section and she got to pick out a book. We didn’t even hold hands though the store. Another perk of DDD. She feels so independent. She swings her arms and walks in step with me.

We needed some milk so we went to Kroger. She got to get in the cart with car attached. Another perk. Next we went to McDonald’s inside of Walmart. Another perk. In the parking lot, she asked, “Daddy can I show you a trick?”

“Sure honey go for it.”

“Open your door Daddy.”

Usually we go to the passenger side and load Danni in and walk around and get in. I opened my door. She climbed up the seat, walked across the seat, over the arm rest, slid into her car seat, put the shoulder straps on, fastened her harness and said, “Ta Da Yeah Danni did a trick.”

I was flabbergasted. They say before you die life flashes before you eyes in seconds. The last almost 3 years flashed in my mind. The panic feeling that I had when they first told me to put Danni in the car only 5 days after being born. The move I mastered putting her carrier in the car without bumping my head. The first time she rode facing forward. The first time she rode in the front seat of the truck. All of it gone. She grew up when I wasn’t looking.

I loaded up our Happy Meal and other purchases into the back of the truck a little sadder. I climbed into my seat defeated. I heaved a sigh and started the truck. It was the beginning of the end for me.

“Daddy don’t forget between my legs and don’t pinch me.” She hadn’t finished buckling herself in. Maybe she didn’t grow up completely.