Joey Fordcopyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yFeXO0p9j
October 17, 2016copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2g3Il1pVf
Week 8: Journal 1copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡwx6K5JGuoc
I just got off the phone with Josh. He wants us to have dinner with him at his house tomorrow. He and Courtney will be making some steaks. It's been a while since I've spent time with Josh, so why not? And Bunny I'm sure would love to go. She really loves her Uncle Josh and Aunt Courtney and her baby cousin Madison. Josh actually just put a photo of little Madison up on Facebook this morning. Oh God, she's such a cutie! Smiling while laying on her tummy wearing just a diaper. It seriously makes me think of my little Bunny crawling around the house in just her diaper. Or crawling around in her little rabbit costume. I want my baby Bunny back...copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtLcHI1H7a
Oh, and Josh's steaks are amazing. I've never said this before, but Josh is a really awesome cook. If he could make us dinner every day (or every day that I'm not working) that would be so freaking awesome.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14di7WD9ly
Anyway, quite a lot happened this weekend. So let's start from the beginning.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS6vDbfjGD
After I was finished with Friday's journal, I actually got a call from Crystal about ten minutes later. She apparently had been talking to Melissa and they planned on having Savannah stay the night on Friday at Crystal's house. Crystal asked me if I would have Bunny stay as well, so that way the three girls could have themselves a little slumber party. I'm PRETTY sure Bunny would be have been upset if I didn't let her stay the night with Kaitlyn and Savannah, so I said yes. This actually wasn't the first time Bunny had stayed the night at a friend's house. Bunny had stayed the night at her friend Leah's house just last April. But it still made me a little sad that my baby girl is getting old enough to stay the night at a friend's house. Pretty soon, she will be spending the night at a friend's house every single weekend. Pretty soon, it will just be "Dad, I'm staying the weekend at so-and-so's house, I'll call you later. Bye." And then she'll jump in her friend's car and drive away. Seriously, I want my baby Bunny back.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd6hpO0qw8
So Bunny, of course, was really excited when I told her at the pickup that she would be spending the night at the Bloomfields. And of course she had a great night. According to Crystal, she and Kaitlyn would normally be in bed by 8:30 on a school night. Because it was a Friday night, the girls got to stay up an extra two hours. Personally, I think staying up past ten is a little late for six year olds, even on weekends, but whatever. Bunny was perfectly happy and wide awake when I picked her up at nine the next day. She had already had chocolate-chip pancakes at the Bloomfields for breakfast, so I didn't need to make her anything. I had about six hours to spend with Bunny before I needed to start getting ready for work. And I needed to make the most of it since it was pretty much all the time I had with her for the rest of the weekend. (or at least I thought that's how much I had)copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxcPQkLuu6
So I looked at my budget to see how much spending money I had. Not a whole lot, but enough to stop at Sonic and buy a couple of frozen treats and go for a walk around the block again. I just love it when Bunny rides on my shoulders. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TZ9pClFV1
We walked and talked about her night at the Bloomfields (the girls did each other's nails, more Barbies, Crystal made a pie for them) and some fun things she was doing in school for a little while (on Thursday, there was a Boys vs. Girls spelling contest, which the girls won thanks to Bunny's amazing spelling skills. Bunny was pretty proud of herself for that). Just as we were walking back to the car, Bunny flipped to goofy mode.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsfqJEeK5K
Bunny put her hands over my eyes (I immediately stopped walking) and started giggling and saying: "Daddy, you're blind!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHi4w8phDT
Me: "Yep, I sure am. How are we going to get back to the car?"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGMnPcZbSV
Bunny: "Smell your way there!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbnsB76QRc
Me (sniffing, but still not walking): "Okay, I'm smelling."copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡAKTTPq2eHF
Then Bunny uncovered my eyes and covered up my nose. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ76lUta6tmZ
Bunny: "Now you can't smell!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyaN0MV7CN
Me: "Oh no, how I am going to smell my way back to the car? Oh wait, I can see now!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdxe6mE9Am
Bunny (covering my eyes again): "No you can't!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHs9CWkJqG
Me: "But now I can smell again!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPfSDgEyoh
Bunny (now covering both my eyes and nose): "No you can't!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIuTWBfBKQ
Me: "Oh no, you got me!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzxpJal4TL
Bunny eventually let me get back to the car and we drove back to the house. For the next while, I helped Bunny with some math homework. Another thing I really love about Mrs. Campbell is that she doesn't overload the kids with homework. Then again, no teacher should do that to first graders. Bunny never gets homework more than once a week (usually on days that I'm working). She can usually do it on her own, but I did my job as a parent and looked over it for her. Not much correcting to do! My little Bunny is so smart!copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBB0ueh9NG
After heating up some pizza in the stove for lunch, me and Bunny just spent the next few hours snuggling on the couch together. Bunny kept her arms around me and dozed off at one point. I guess this is what she meant by me being her big teddy bear. Man, I love my little girl so much.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9pV2mxiXh
And then around two-thirty, I got a call that I wasn't at all expecting.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8URGkAQFEJ
It was from Starbucks. One of the workers, Randy, really wanted more hours so they asked me if I would be willing to give up my hours for Saturday. They also were going to give him my hours on Sunday (that were never mine to begin with). Guess what that meant? Two full days with my Bunny, two nights with my Bunny, no having to work with Ruth for two more days in a row. How the hell could I say no to that?copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpk3qOiIX5
Was I sacrificing my finances to do this? Not really. I had already worked at least thirty-two hours this week. That's still plenty of money. I guess as long as I don't make it a habit, it's fine. Like I said, how could I resist more time with my Bunny?copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoeOjhaQz8
Bunny was pretty excited when I told her that I wouldn't have to work the rest of the weekend. Hell, we were both really excited! Two days in a row together with no work or school! It felt like a dream come true!copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8H20nmAd2f
So what did we do right then? Snuggle on the couch even longer! Yeah, why not?copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuFhx66PP4
I quickly called Crystal and told her the news and she was pretty happy for me as well. But that didn't stop us from still stopping by at her house. Just to visit. It's kind of funny how just a couple weeks ago we were only having play dates every once in a while and now we're pretty much at her house every day. I guess this is what having family friends is like.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡUes92MrdD0
Melissa and Savannah were also there, so we got to visit with them as well. Melissa is still kind of iffish around me, but she at least spoke to me a few times. At one point, she complimented me about Bunny's hair, which I styled into a five strand braid right before we headed over. With a purple bow. I guess some things just take time.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMIoM5LmjN
As we watched the girls play together (which included more cute and sassy dancing), I mentioned to Crystal that one of these days I want to take Bunny out to have a nice dinner at a restaurant. For a beautiful daddy-daughter date. Crystal asked me why don't I just take her out that night and I said it wasn't part of my budget. Then she reached into her wallet and said: "Now it is."copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgihyPnEEc
Yep, Crystal gave me forty bucks to go buy a nice meal for me and Bunny. Crystal you're such an amazing person.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzrcJtZaHC
So we spent a few hours at the Bloomfields and me and Bunny said our goodbyes so that we could get ready for our date. Bunny changed into a gorgeous blue dress and put on her church shoes. I went ahead and redid her five strand braid and put in a blue bow to match her dress. She looked so beautiful that I just had to take a picture and put if on Facebook. I just couldn't help it.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3oTrbZcyj
After I put on one of my collar shirts and slacks, we were ready. We headed off to eat dinner at a Chili's. Okay, maybe Chili's is not that nice or fancy, but whatever. It's still a restaurant. It's still something that I would have a really hard time fitting into my budget.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0azir88PNM
Anyway, our daddy-daughter couldn't have gone more perfectly. Bunny was pretty excited about getting to eat out and was all smiles practically the entire time. We spent most of the time talking more about her school, playing with her friends, or just random goofy nonsense.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wmtI5XIgF
Bunny: "Daddy, have you ever eaten socks?"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡksIJlaUlns
Me: "Umm...no. Why would I do that?"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnDdG5mOU9
Bunny: "Why don't you try it?"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXFYro4p6k
Me: "Ew! That's disgusting!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rMMa8W5tk
Bunny: "How do you know if it's disgusting if you've never tried it?"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡy7IblohHdb
I guess that makes sense. Maybe we should just save our grocery money and just spend all of next week eating our socks. At least we could for sure afford to go watch Trolls.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡRP9wNAVRZ1
And then after that goofy little conversation, we nuzzled our noses and gave each other kisses. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4sZQD7NJB
I ordered Cajun pasta and loaded mashed potatoes while Bunny ordered mac and cheese (we had macaroni at the house, but whatever). After we finished eating, Bunny lay her head on me and said: "Daddy, that was a great dinner."copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hJQt4eKMs
Me (drinking the last of my water): "Yep, it sure was."copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDh6a5H5WH
Bunny: "Thank you for taking me to dinner."copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79LA8CegpX
I put my arm around her gave her a giant kiss on her cheek.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxfAoJFCts
Me: "You're welcome, Sweetheart."copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q6nwgsemo
Oh, and then this happened. After I asked for my ticket, two random women who I guess had been sitting close by walked up to me and both started not only complimenting me for how adorable Bunny was, but also complimenting me on my parenting skills. They started telling me things like: "Oh, you're such a great father!" and "Oh, y'all seem to have a great bond!" As much I love compliments, I can't help but feel a little iffish about people going overboard with the "you're a great father" compliments just because I'm spending time with my daughter. Oh sure it's nice, but I have a feeling people wouldn't act the same way towards me if I were a woman. I've always found it kind of ridiculous how men are "AMAZING FATHERS!!!" just for showing love to their children. Isn't that what fathers are supposed to do? No, I'm not counting men who abandon their children. Those idiots are not fathers.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuxG4GiiWI
But I still smiled and said: "Thank you." The most I can do is be polite back. One of the women also told Bunny her dress was beautiful. Bunny gave a an adorable grin and said: "Thank you."copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNgvnEe3hI
Overall, we had a great daddy-daughter date. A wonderful and beautiful night that we finished off with a dance. More serious and calm dancing...that turned into crazy dancing. After we danced calmly for a few minutes, Bunny wanted to put on Katy Perry and then we had ourselves some wild fun dancing. At one point, we took each other by the hands and started trying to jump in the air as high as we could. It sure is a good thing that we have carpet in the living room.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm9BJGSbUe
Bunny had her bath and went to bed a little later than usual (bedtime story was another one of her library books, "Just You and Me," what a fitting title) but whatever. Who cares? It was a great night. And I was so grateful that I didn't have to spend it working with Rude. I mean Ruth.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPJ8wNOO6K
Then Sunday came around and it was just as wonderful. After a beautiful morning at church, we went home and had some pot pies for lunch. Then Bunny wanted to watch Netflix, something we haven't done together in quite a while. For the record, I don't have cable at my apartment. Other than anime, I'm not really much a TV person. Oh sure, I loved watching cartoons growing up. But the last time I actually went out of my way to watch actual TV on the television was...around the time that I moved back in with my parents in high school. Bunny isn't a huge TV watcher either. But we have Netflix on the Wii U that we'll use to watch cartoons and movies sometimes. On that day we decided to watch ET, which Bunny had already seen before (when she was about four), but she didn't remember really well. We were watching the original version. You know, the one with the guns. This actually freaked out Bunny. She started saying: "Daddy, were they actually going to shoot the kids?" That's something I've always wondered. Say what you want about removing the guns, what was the purpose of them to begin with? Was alien research so important to them that they were willing to kill kids to do it? Were they going to shoot the bike tires? What if they had missed and shot one of the kids in the chest or the head? Or were they just trying to scare the kids or something? I don't know. Personally, I thought it made a lot of sense to remove the guns. But that's just me.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmxNSVr6YJ
Anyway, we still had a great time watching the movie. Afterwards, me and Bunny went out to the large basketball court right outside our apartment (people hardly ever use it since it's so crappy) and played a little tag, which wore me out after about ten minutes. I've never been an athletic person, and Bunny ran from me like her life depended on it. The instant I became "it," it was over.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡPu5Z6PFY1z
Bunny (sitting on one of the basketball goals): "Daddy, you're so slow."copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBpWKVKyKQ
Me (laying on my back): "Yeah, I know."copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡjhcR54NwbM
But just as we were walking away from the court, I threw my arms around her and grabbed hold of her tightly. Then I lifted her up and shouted: "You're it!" copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1gl0mbGlc
Bunny (laughing and kicking her legs): "That's not fair!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡgyOFvzBf7m
I spun her around a bit and then ended it off with a giant kiss. Then we went back in the house a snuggled together for a bit on the couch. Which involved Bunny laying on top of me and rubbing her sock-covered feet on my face. At least she didn't tell me to eat them. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rDiiJn6gz
Bunny (giggling): "Stinky feet! Stinky feet!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwA8RBv3hQ
Me: "Blegh! I don't like stinky feet!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxp4dUDPaL
Bunny: "Lick them!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfdPyvyVCO
Me: "No way, that's nasty!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuk5DcH8gY
After that goofiness, Bunny pulled her socks off and put her bare feet on my face. She started wiggling her toes.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvwoAKjeAt
Bunny: "Little Piggy! Little Piggy!"copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLJcBhIadk
What happened to Bob? I thought he was my best friend. Oh well, I guess friends come and go. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIPkOsxvAN
After a few minutes of This Little Piggy, me and Bunny cuddled for a little while longer and then it was time for dinner. Dinner that night was grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, and green beans. Delicious. Then Bunny had her bath and we spent a while just talking to each other in the living room while Bunny brushed a few of her Barbie's hair. At one point, we randomly started talking about hot dogs. She thinks it's weird that I like mayonnaise on my hot dogs. Even though she apparently likes chocolate sauce and banana pudding on her hot dogs. With sprinkles. What on Earth am I going to do with this little girl?copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzj1YTLi7m
Her bedtime story that night was more Dr. Seuss. Oh Say Can You Say. Me and Bunny always have fun with this one. We always laugh and giggle together each time we have a hard time saying the bizarre sentences. It's definitely one of our favorites.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡL78vkJN3U0
Before going to bed, Bunny wanted me to This Little Piggy on her one more time, and I decided to have a little extra fun with her and I started tickling her feet. After Bunny finished laughing insanely, she tried to tickle my feet and we had ourselves a small chase around her room. Which ended with her tickling my feet on top of her bed and me grabbing her and lifting her up in the air. Then I put my arms around her and kissed her.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUJdexFL2f
Me (with my arms around her): "I love you, Sweetie."copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxPSyOMk6U
Bunny: "I love you too, Daddy. This was a fun weekend."copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡGS1Pomybpt
It sure was.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOnW1CtGow
And it's too bad that we probably won't have another weekend like that for a while. Until they decide to give me a night off on Saturday again. Oh well, just keep on thinking positive. It was a great weekend. What else can I say?copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX4MQCBCXH
The house got a little messy over the weekend, but I decided to wait until today to take care of that. I'll go ahead and wait until tomorrow to do laundry. Right now I need to go ahead and get Bunny's bag packed for the night. copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEAytYV2ak
Oh, and I'm doing the day shift on Saturday, so at least that means I will for sure get two nights with Bunny this week. Let's hope they don't schedule me on Sunday. Randy, take as many hours as you want.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡvm9TiavMRT
Alright, I'll be back tomorrow.copyright protection192ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOQnAGZbjX
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