Ever since Grumpfest 2008, the Toddler has simply been a pleasure to be around. No, really. It's been enough to make me almost think that maybe, kind of, sort of, perhaps having another kid wouldn't be such a bad idea after all. (Don't get too excited there, Pappaw, my sanity is still somewhat intact and it is aware that I still haven't figured out a way to hang a crib out of the window without getting a call from the Homeowner's Association. Must. find. new. house. first.)

Anyhoo, between the giggles and cuddles and meaningful conversations like this one:

Me: Alexis, where do you put the lid to the olive jar?
Alexis: Ook unda da couch.
Me: Of course, why didn't I think of that?
Alexis: I don know. Mommy silly!

It's really been fun to hang out with her. Since she hasn't been scaring me away with her Toddler screeching, I've had ample opportunity to realize that I can learn much from her wise little brain. Examples:

1. I know I'm an idiot for never realizing it on my own, but DUDE! Eeyore is a donkey. Honest to goodness, it never occurred to me. I guess I just never thought about what kind of animal he is. Thanks, kiddo!

2. Have I ever mentioned that I live under a rock? Well, I live under a rock, and under my rock, there is no such thing as disco music. I don't know if I was born too late (is 1976 too late?), too far North (NoDaks do only listen to country, causing my ears to bleed for years and all of my checks for babysitting to go towards CDs), or if I'm just ignorant (probably). I just know that I had never actually listened to any KC & The Sunshine Band. On Saturday, I was attempting to load up an MP3 player with music for Alexis (long story, but the main points are that it was free, she's perfectly willing to listen to headphones, and I can't handle her music any more). Except, I was using a free trial from some dumb website, so it was very slim pickings. After nearly dying while perusing the kids section, I started going for oldies and was playing a sample of various songs. I got to "Shake Your Booty" and would you believe Little Miss started singing? And kept singing? And knew the entire chorus? All my life, I have thought the lyrics were "Shake your Groove Thing." Obviously, I was wrong and my two-year old knew something I didn't. I think daycare gets a little credit for this one. She learns some valuable stuff there.

3. If you mix all of the colors of Play-Doh together, the Play-Doh police will not come crashing into your house to arrest you and charge you with crimes against humanity. I'm sure you're just as shocked as I was.

4. All those characters on Dora? They HAVE NAMES! It's not "That cow thing" or "that other thing." They have honest to goodness names. Just don't ask me what they are because I wasn't really paying attention to the little presentation Alexis put on for me, complete with visual aids.

5. It's far easier to teach a Toddler to empty the dishwasher than it is to teach an adult. That's probably because she knows how to make it fun.