My Exclusive Ticket to Wonderland

When I was a child, I LOVED the movie, "Alice in Wonderland." I loved the music. I loved the wacky characters. I loved how Alice was just wondering around when she randomly fell into the rabbit hole and so many magical things happened to her. My imagination just took hold and went right along with her. I probably watched that movie a hundred times or more.

And then I grew up. And forgot all about Alice and her magical wonderland.

That is, until I had my toddler. You see, any parent of a toddler will probably attest, that every day of your toddler's existence is, in fact, their own wonderland. And as their parent, we get our own exclusive ticket there, and for us we get to recapture that magic we forgot about. You can pretend you want to eat their elbow or toe or shoulder (a favorite game of mine and Gracie's), and if you act like you actually stick it in your mouth, they get mad. Because to them, it's real.

You can play Disney princesses, and to them, if you say you're Ariel or Cinderella, you really are. You can stick something on your head to see if it will stay there, and burst into giggles if it falls off. You can fill plastic eggs with fruit snacks and hide them in the living room, and get really, really excited when you find one! You can make ridiculous funny faces, and they don't think you're weird. They think you're hilarious.

For me, I have watched Gracie name her favorite dolly "Turn" (which Grace says with a British accent) and her second-favorite dolly "Patty." I have no idea where she found those names. I have been lucky enough to help her sing her made-up song "Shoes-shoes-shoes" (to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle) to her animals. I have peered secretly into her bedroom as she tucks Turn in for nighttime, sings her songs, changes her diaper, and showers her with kisses. Grace has taught me that the actual number system is as follows: one, two, three, four, five, six, eleven, uh-teen, uh-teen, uh-teen, and so forth. I have also learned that I mispronounce the letter "W." It should be spoken as "Buh-do-do." Through my toddler, I have discovered that water is not only for drinking but for decorating, such as accenting a page you have colored or the kitchen table. And I have realized that colored pencils are not just for coloring, but for decorating Play-Dough. I have stuck stickers on paper plates and then colored them.

Dolly "Turn" is to the left of Connor, right next to Elmo.

Grace using her Easter basket to tote her animals.

Doing her favorite puzzle, the ABCs.

I have colored with chalk on the back patio, blown bubbles smelling like grapes, played Ring-Around-the-Rosie holding both Gracie and Turn's hands, and sung the Mickey Mouse "hot dog" song all within a half-hour time frame. I have turned couch cushions into slides, pillows into chairs, and the love sac into a jumping pad. Alongside Grace, I have learned every one of the characters' names on Sesame Street. I, too, have become a fan of Curious George and The Man with the Yellow Hat.

I have watched her delight in coloring on the walls of the bath during bath time, or when we are walking somewhere and she sees a sign where she recognizes the letters or numbers (when we walk around our neighborhood and she sees the "For Rent" sign, she automatically starts singing her ABCs). I have become more keenly aware of the beauty of simple things, like an autumn leaf, a tiny ladybug, or even a rock.

I have listened to my little Gracie's prayers when she tells God thank you for Grandma, Papa, Connor, Jerel, Camille, Megi, Mommy, Daddy, baby Turn, etc. I have watched her tenderly kiss her brother's head and tell Connor "he's cute!"

Yes. This is the glorious life of my toddler. And tonight I just wanted to express how grateful I am that she has granted me a ticket to her wonderland. I love you, my precious toddler.