I never thought I'd be that dad that writes a blog about all of the stuff his kid says that really isn't quite so entertaining to everybody else, but man, my kid really got me the other night.

I was impatient. She wouldn't listen. I'd had a long day. A lot of social work. A lot of music responsibilities. Tired. She wouldn't eat her dinner. She wouldn't take a bath. She wouldn't brush her teeth. She wouldn't pee. Zero cooperation.

I tried my gentle voice. I tried taking stuff away. I tried time out. I tried to bribe her. Zero cooperation.

Finally, I yelled. I admit it. I lost my temper with the kid and went off on a rant. I'm pretty sure it scared her, but I was so overtired I didn't really notice. I tried to read her a book and pray, and she refused to participate. Then she wanted twenty kisses and hugs and for me to do our secret handshake before I left the room.
It goes: "pound, pound, lock it down, break the pickle, tickle tickle, 1,2,3,4 I declare a thumb war, sneak attack, patty cake, patty cake, E.T. phone home be good Elliot, we are best friends."

I did the handshake and left the room, and she came downstairs 2 minutes later. I put her back to bed. She did it again. I put her back to bed. She came down again. I screamed again. And again. And again. Finally, she grabbed her beanie baby and asked me her name. I refused to tell her because I was so heated. She insisted, so I checked the tag: "Grace."

Leave it to my kid. Working on the grace....