Joey Fordcopyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AMRB3cikK
November 7, 2016copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Tw4U6PCpa
Week 11: Journal 2copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xjb6iNoKw
Bunny: "Daddy, why are the Christmas decorations being sold so early?"copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡiL74CJ8P1t
Me: "Because the world is full of idiots, Sweetheart."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbn5fhb5UB
Okay, I didn't actually say that to her, but that's what I was thinking. Look I've never met ANYONE who buys Christmas stuff at the beginning of November. It's freaking pointless, if someone wants to shop for Christmas stuff that badly, they can just go on Amazon. You're just confusing kids when you do that!copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡg49zffS2ED
Anyway, now that I got that out of the way, let's talk about the weekend.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWoH11qaQs
Friday night went AMAZING. Not because of the movie. Honestly, I thought the movie was kind of blah, but Bunny loved it. And obviously that was the only thing I cared about. As long as she's happy, I'm happy. And my one goal for the night was to make sure that she stayed happy.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqE1vUiH0c
Everything was going wonderfully even before the movie. When I picked Bunny up from school on Friday, she was more excited than ever to see me. She ran up to me and didn't just hug me but jumped in my arms. I was not expecting that at all. Thankfully I was able to catch her and spin her around hugging her perfectly. Me and Bunny hugged each other for quite a while in front of the school. After we gave each other kisses, Bunny had some more graded papers to show me. EVERY one of them had stickers and "good job" messages written on them. Apparently Bunny was the only one in her class who made a 100 on one of her math papers, something she was REALLY proud of herself about. And I was proud of her to. Not only that, but she just made the "50 point" club at her school. Her school has that AR system that I despised when I was a kid. Where you take tests on books you read and get points for them. I don't think I ever got above 30 points as a kid (mainly because I hated reading). Bunny, however, reads A LOT. And I mean A LOT. A good reason why she has such great spelling skills. And no, she doesn't just read picture books. She reads chapter books too. Apparently only a few kids in her class do so. I don't think I started reading chapter books until I was in fifth grade.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡjggsQwIIyn
She's not only the very first in her class to make it to 50 points, but she's the very first in the ENTIRE FIRST GRADE to make it that high. I didn't just hear this from Bunny, but from Mrs. Campbell. Mrs. Campbell went up to me at the pickup and told me once again how proud she is of Bunny and how ALL of the first grade teachers are impressed with her. Mrs. Campbell told me she loves having Bunny as a student. Hearing this nearly made me cry. It made me smother my baby girl in more kisses. I'm so proud of my little Bunny.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡm8jLPlMgwD
Mrs. Campbell: "You're raising a very smart young lady, Joey."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡI93nbzhthh
Me: "Thanks Mrs. Campbell."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAxX3ntL62
Mrs. Campbell: "You're a great dad."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8taseZO0gk
Thank you, Mrs. Campbell. And you're an amazing teacher. Thanks for being so kind to me.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZuHmFhD9y
And the best way to reward Bunny's accomplishments was going to see a movie that she was dying to see. We were ready to take off. But I got to speak to Crystal really fast.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡVP8tNcRgXY
Crystal: "Y'all have fun tonight."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6rtzFtnGJ
Me: "We will!"copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkIc24SjI1
Crystal: "Don't spoil it though."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡRER07EcZVa
I won't. I'm not so sure about Bunny though. She isn't usually one of the first people to watch something, so I felt like I needed to have a talk with her afterwards to make sure she understands that most people preferred that movies stayed as a surprise. Thankfully she's a really good listener.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡXegoIQ3bdJ
Anyway, the movie started at six, so that gave us a little less than three hours to get ready. The plan was to take off an hour early since the theater is a twenty minute drive from our apartment. That would give us plenty of time to get to the theater, grab popcorn since I know for certain Bunny will want some, and find our seats. I wanted to start getting ready at least forty-five minutes early, so that gave us at least an hour to relax at the house. But...of course, Bunny just would rather act overly goofy.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW4D86H1pq
The instant that we stepped inside the apartment, Bunny shouted: "Give me a piggy back ride!" and she started trying to climb me. So I let Bunny hop up on my back and walked over to my room to set her graded papers (which included her AR test printout that proved she had over 50 points, 50.8 to be exact) inside my "Bunny's First Grade Work" box. Then she hopped off my back and leaped on my bed. copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2g4Thcytct
Bunny (laying on her stomach with her legs swinging up in the air): "From now on this is where I sleep."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9IUxqKBCY
Me: "That's my bed, though."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxUoa3vS4U
Bunny: "No, it's my bed now." (Pretends to fall asleep)copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7bn1sAAVM
Me (laughing): "Why?"copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zVMttde4P
Bunny (pretending to wake up): "Because I'm the queen. And the queen gets to sleep wherever she wants."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpm7Owajof
Me: "So...I get your bed now?"copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHnq5oSFYO
Bunny: "No, that's my other bed. You sleep on the couch."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2onPRR25V
Me (laughing): "The couch?"copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡRildp9Kzt9
Bunny: "No, the couch is mine too. You sleep outside."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHQc7VB0BA
Me: "Outside?"copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3Ddqs5iua
Bunny: "Don't let the coyotes eat you."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmsyzRIkrb
Wow, talk about a feisty queen. If this actually were the queen, I would have fled the kingdom a long time ago.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡthTkt1g52R
And no, we don't get coyotes. We live right in the middle of the city. There's a better chance I'll get eaten by a pack of drunk morons out here. Which is honestly just as terrifying to think about.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRUj5lLaDf
This little conversation, of course, led to a tickle fight on my bed. I could already see that coming from a mile away. I'm pretty sure she was purposely trying to get me to tickle her. She's such a clever little girl.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRCOqcG9w7
As I planned, we started getting around 4:15. Because we were planning on having dinner together, we got dressed as best as we could. I put on a nice suit and slacks and Bunny wore a gorgeous red dress and her black church shoes. I put her hair in an adorable sock bun with a red bow in the back. Bunny also wanted to quickly paint her nails red to match her dress and bow, which we had some time to do. Bunny looked so beautiful when we were done that I needed to take some more pictures. I swear, she's looking more and more grown up. Slow down, my little Bunny. Please...copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0pfkTgBYj
As soon as we were finished getting ready, Bunny leaped in my arms and gave me a kiss on my cheek.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEbnXgJIqn
Bunny: "Thank you for taking me to see the movie, Daddy."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡYMfAAGMgPj
Me:"You're welcome, Baby. I love you."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡoajNpEGGfE
After me and Bunny hugged for a little bit, we took off. By the time we were in the car, it was a few minutes before five. We were right on time.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIja5grPZS
As soon as we arrived at the movie theater, I stopped a young couple (probably the same age as me) and asked if they could quickly take a picture of me and Bunny. They did so. Me and Bunny took a couple pictures together. One with the two of us standing together with my arm around her, one with her hugging me, and one with me holding her in my arms. The pictures came out SO wonderfully. If only Bunny could stay my beautiful little girl forever...copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYEsze9muY
Of course, Bunny wanted popcorn. After we got some, Bunny needed to use the bathroom. Or the "ladies room," as she called it. See? She's growing up way too fast.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡFS9ZGzDmgS
After Bunny got out of the bathroom, I asked her if she washed her hands. That kind of annoyed her.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fBkqHBSwB
Bunny: "Of course I washed my hands! I'm going to eat popcorn!"copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKAoc9Dmw7
Me: "I'm just making sure."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡkb0uaG3O3j
Bunny: "Yes, I used soap."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4zip0Z1Sv
Ouch. That sass. I'm pretty terrified of her teen years.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCgd1tnEPT
Before the movie started, Bunny started eating her popcorn like a dog. Which led to this:copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡM94MDftH3w
Me (laughing): "Your eating like a dog!"copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LBA31A22t
Bunny (stops for a second): "Ruff! Ruff! Ruff!" (Returns to eating like a dog)copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡyG5OT7hhL6
Oh man, I love her so much.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxgfkUuOBy
Like I said, I wasn't all that impressed by the movie, not that I was expecting much. I don't give a damn about Troll dolls (I have a feeling Bunny's going to want a lot of them for Christmas though), so I didn't give a damn about this movie. Overall, it was cute and harmless for kids, but it's not something I would ever watch on my own. But like I said, all I cared about was that my little Bunny was happy. And she was! Oh man, she was REALLY happy! After we got out of the Bunny went ON AND ON about her favorite parts and her favorite characters and yadda yadda yadda. She had SO much expression in her voice. She was so excited that she was having to catch her breath as she talked. Seeing her this happy made me feel more happy than ever. Though I'm still unsure if I had made the right choice with the video games, I was very glad that I was able to get Bunny to this movie.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCjWdnYNp1
As we left the movie theater, Bunny gave me a giant hug and said once again: "Thanks for taking me to the movie, Daddy."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYHmMAt4Rf
Me and Bunny gave each other hugs and kisses and then we went off to dinner. This time at Texas Roadhouse, a place I hadn't eaten at in YEARS. I think the last time I went there was with the posse back in high school. When Troy ate about two steaks and puked right outside the restaurant. We never let him hear the end of that.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2Mrh7lMVX
For dinner, I ordered some ribs while Bunny had chicken tenders. I guess she's now fine with eating chicken. copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgzFdM2cAs
Dinner went wonderful, just as I expected. We spent some more time talk about the movie and being a little goofy. Bunny at one point tried to hang a spoon on her nose, which of course fell on the floor.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRqUdcvHhn
Me (After she picked it up): "I hope you don't plan on using that."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrpJSHQetM
Bunny: "Why?"copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡbP3Kuhxxt7
Me: "Because it was on the floor. It's dirty now."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡZGYqAcD6TU
Bunny (Sticks the spoon in her mouth, pulls it out, and wipes it on a napkin): "Now it isn't."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQlTzeAqs4
I literally facepalmed. copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDTgooyVV1
It was obvious that Bunny knew exactly what she was doing, because she started laughing like a hyena right after that. She's such a crazy little girl.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VH2lieYp8
After we were finished eating, Bunny lay down on my shoulder and said to me: "This was a great night, Daddy."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSYeMytmZW
Me: "It sure was."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡqczktYI1UD
Bunny: "I love it when you do fun things with me."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YzL0U4fTt
Me (putting my fingers through her hair): "And I love getting to spend time with you."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLmm08VuuV
Right after that, Bunny put her arms around me and squeezed me pretty tightly. She kept her arms around me like that up until we left. The waitress, who had been smiling at the two of us all night, gave us another huge smile when she saw us like that.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡqV80fBYYDT
The waitress (as she handed me my ticket): "Y'all seem pretty close."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHRasR5w7Y
Me: "I'm her teddy bear."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvKlSLtNfY
The waitress laughed and said that Bunny looked gorgeous. I said "thanks" and paid for the food. The waitress didn't make any "you're a great dad" comments, which I couldn't help but feel a little relieved about. I was just spending time with my daughter, it was nothing to get overexcited about. I couldn't help but feel a little happy that no random people were walking up to my table and treating me like I was father of the year.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFURGatF87
By the time me and Bunny got home it was already close to eleven, which obviously meant that we couldn't stay up much longer. That didn't stop us from having a fun bath time (where she put her wet feet on my face and shouted: "Face message!"), having another tickle fight as soon as she was out of the bath (she started this one), and reading a bedtime story. Bunny has two library books right now, a chapter book and some picture book about a girl and her grandfather. But she wanted to read a Dr. Seuss book. I couldn't complain. Dr. Seuss is the only author that I legitimately enjoy.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKOpVgh0Mo
We read Cat In The Hat. I hope I don't sound like a jerk, but if no one ever read Cat In The Hat to you as a kid, you had no childhood.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMUJ8MvCzK
And once the story was over, Bunny gave me another giant hug and said: "Goodnight, Daddy. I love you so much."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡAjqva7FDMN
And that was Friday. A beautiful night with me and my little girl watching a movie and eating dinner together. I'd give anything for more nights like this. My little Bunny always steals my heart.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡKkyzKtP2uC
I had work at two in the afternoon on Saturday, which gave me and Bunny some time to sleep in. We kind of needed it since it was past midnight by the time that we were both in bed.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtpkdx7I9H
Bunny was REALLY excited to see Leah. The two hugged each other as soon as they saw each other. That was really beautiful. Savannah was also at the Bloomfields that day, meaning the four girls would all get to spend some time with each other. I was looking forward to Bunny telling me all about the fun things they did that night. copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡtK0Tfa0UON
On Sunday, we had a beautiful morning at church, and then it was time to get some shopping done. Normally I go shopping when Bunny's in school, but it had been quite a while since we had gone together and I actually love going shopping with my little girl. So we both headed over to the already Christmas decorated-Walmart right after church. Which meant that me and Bunny were both already dressed nicely (if you count a collar shirt and khakis as nicely) and Bunny got to skip around Walmart in her beautiful light blue dress that I love so much. She had her hair in a four strand braid that day with a white bow.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡIz7g8SJYUd
It's always great to hear Bunny's suggestions on what we should buy. copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlH0GUxNCG
"Get the macaroni you put in the microwave, it tastes way better than the one on the stove." copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡu6ru0GE1Bt
"Can we not get lettuce this time? Lettuce tastes like bird poop." copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡOj2WAaOj8I
"Spaghetti is way more healthy than ravioli." (Is it? I honestly don't know.)copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡxJ3fKJ9hwM
"The sprinkly cheese is the best cheese ever. Always get the sprinkly cheese." (She knows it's called shredded cheese. She likes to call it "sprinkly cheese.")copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0SpuS69TH
"Don't ever buy beer, Daddy! Beer is bad for you!" (She says this as we pass by the alcohol, which is in the same aisle as the water bottles).copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡCI1FEBQsVZ
She never stops making me smile.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡasIeHtYRKu
A woman in line at the register told me that Bunny looked gorgeous. And then she asked me if she was my little sister. Bunny corrected her for me.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJvw90ofai
Bunny (smiling and putting her arms around me): "No, he's my daddy."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡWN1XsFzi7u
The woman got a pretty surprised look on her face, but then she just smiled again. She said: "Congratulations" and didn't say anything else to us. I have a feeling she wanted to insult me, but she decided to be polite. Oh well, it's a step above several other people I've met in the past.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiW0xEtvve
The rest of the day was just a lazy day at the house. Me and Bunny took a nap in my bed as soon as we got home. Then we got on Netflix and watched a little Friendship Is Magic. That's always fun. Then we talked for a little while about things she did with her friends on Saturday, school, and other things ("I hope they make another Trolls movie. Maybe there will be Barbie dolls in the next one" I wouldn't be surprised honestly). Then Bunny started tickling my stomach, which led to another tickle fight on my bed. We can never have enough tickle fights.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9XvF6v4mF
Then Bunny wanted me to do This Little Piggy on her. I'll probably keep doing that to her until the day she graduates high school. Not that I would complain.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjtohV4Qdb
Dinner that night was steak fingers and mashed potatoes. When I went to go tell Bunny dinner was ready, I found her laying on her bed holding her teddy bear "Peanut Butter" (which she hasn't stopped sleeping with once since I got it for her) up in the air and singing to it. I just stared at her for a brief moment as she sung. She seemed SO focused on her little music number for her bear. before she saw me. Then she finally saw me and got an awkward look on her face and then started grinning and giggling. I love her SO much.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvuhv1WZwr
After dinner, it was bath time. At one point during her bath, she randomly started singing "Let It Go." Then she paused for moment and looked at me. She gave me this kind of annoyed expression.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwBb2hhxmE
Me: "Yes Sweetie?"copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKXG9eCd4Q
Bunny: "You're supposed to sing with me."copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡpolTGRVCRs
I started singing "Let It Go," which made her smile again. We both sang together for the rest of her bath. Even with my awful singing, it was another wonderful moment. I love being with my little girl.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44ZFf1Xxzk
After Bunny's bath, we talked to each other some more, I read her bedtime story ("Dirt Boy" another really weird book I found at Half Price books a while back), and then we had a pillow fight. Yeah, Bunny wanted to have a little more fun with me before we officially ended our weekend together. She started whacking me with one of her pillows and then I grabbed another pillow and started whacking her back. This ended with me getting tired, Bunny continuing to whack me in the back, and then her shouting: "I win!" all triumphantly and excitingly. Our nights together are just the best.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡbM49tdn5qr
And before we gave each other goodnight kisses, Bunny wanted me to do This Little Piggy on her one more time. Why not?copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡVPQhJx8E90
We gave each other goodnight kisses, Bunny gave me another hug and told me she loved me, I turned out her lights, then I started working on homework.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7d46Tk7RSG
And that was the weekend. copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4tfdXsA2T
Me and Bunny had such a great time together last weekend and I can't wait for my next day-off on Thursday when we'll be together again. It's going to be wonderful.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YITfsqo6A
I would spend every single night with her if I could. I would give anything to be able to. I guess all I can do is look forward to the summer. Work in the day, NO classes, nights exclusively for me and my little Bunny. I can't wait.copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡodOtkHOsyG
I love you, Sweetheart. I really wish we could be with each other more often. copyright protection57ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KLCZYAszC
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