Revelation

Tonight I gave Annabelle a bath for the first time since we returned home three weeks ago, so that Dave could take over the bed time ritual. (Usually he does bath time and I am in charge of bed time.) Bath time has a reputation for being tense, and a definite chore for whomever is involved in the cleaning process. Over the summer, in Dave's absence, I got a lot of help from my sister and mom and dad... especially if I was having an exasperating evening.

So tonight, after bathing her, having fun, and sharing lots of giggles tonight, it had not occurred to me how successful of a bath experience it had been until she looked up at me, beaming, with the broadest smile on her face -

Annabelle :: Me do good bath time tonight?

Me :: What?

Annabelle :: Me no hit you!

Me :: No, you didn't hit me.

Annabelle :: And me no yell at you!

Me :: No, you didn't yell at me either.

Annabelle :: And me no hit and yell at you!

Me :: That's right. You did not yell at me or hit me.

Annabelle :: Me hit daddy. And me yell at daddy.

Me :: Annabelle! You hit daddy?

Annabelle :: Yes. And Papa. And Grama. And Sissy. And...

Me ::

Annabelle :: Me do good bath time tonight! Me big girl!