Three in Tennessee

Today was an especially hilarious and fun Tatum day. For starters, we went to Tadpole Tales at the library. I really enjoy watching her interact with other children. She's very used to being with other kids and as social as she is, she really likes to take her time and "take it all in" when we are around a big group. It not quite shyness...just non-chattyness.

Today we sat on the big lilypads (picture giant green ottomans) and she watched and listened with anticipation as the stories were read. She even whisper-talked to me, which is one of my favorite things ever and kind of hard to explain unless we're in person. I hope to always, always remember the whisper-talking and in fact, I hope she always does it somehow.

After Tadpole Tales we headed to Chick-Fil-A with our friends. She sat in the high chair and was happy as a lark to be amongst her good friends (and ours), the Dentons. As Niki displayed some supermom characteristics by divvying out chicken nuggets and waffle fries to four kids, all the time carrying on a conversation with me, Tatum and Jonas chatted, shared some food and thankfully kept their lips to themselves today. Although it's not technically in the book, we think that food is Jonas' love language...he always, always shares with Tatum. The boy is smitten!

After the food consumption we headed to the play area. Tatum started out by kneeling down and licking the floor...she looked up at me like "that's disgusting"...umm yep, that's pretty much right. I had to shake that one off and try not to think about it. About that time a Toby Mac song came on and the dancing began. Bryce shook his little hiney and Tatum started, too. The elbow out thing just kills me. Elbow out, twisting action, some hip and hiney shaking...and some kind of spine rolling motion, too. It's GREAT! You really can't beat dancing toddlers. I love how Tatum dances! She has proven to have decent rhythm. I imagine some of that comes naturally and then Matt practicing drum beats on her tummy since she was a teeny tiny thing has probably helped a lot! :)

I have no segue for this, but just wanted to mention...I feel like Tatum has started to form sentences a little more in the last few days...."I want to _________" is a little clearer each time. :) Man, I love talking with her. I love that we know much of what she is trying to communicate. She knows how to get us to help her walk up the stairs like a big girl. She knows how to say "outside" and if we don't happen to hear her, then it's pretty obvious when she's at the back door turning the knob. This girl has got a lot to say...my ears are open, Goose! So are Daddy's! Always!

What a great day!