Oh, Daddy! Look What I Found! by Jasper

The other day, multi-tasking mommy asked me what I like best about being a Dad. I responded:

Watching the constant development of Esmeralda has to be my favorite part of being a Dad. For example, in the beginning, it was fascinating to see her try to move her hands. Now, I smile from ear to ear as she wanders around the house picking up as many different things as she can. Everyday, she does something new…

This evening, after dinner, Sydney decided to water the plants in our Florida room, otherwise known as the screened-in patio. Esmeralda “assisted” her, by following her from plant to plant, while I washed dishes. When I finished my chore, I grabbed a beer and joined them in the screened-in patio, also known as a lanai. For the next several minutes, I watched, as Esmeralda walked around the Florida room-screened-in patio-lanai. She wandered back and forth, from one end of the Florida room-screened-in patio-lanai to the other. If Sydney was inside refilling the water pitcher, Esmeralda would follow her to the sink. Once Sydney returned to the Florida room-screened-in patio-lanai, Esmeralda would trail her. During this entire time, she was carrying this book:

Soon her attention turned to things on the ground. Immediately, she gave me an old water jug, used for plant food.

Next, with a squeal of joy, Esmeralda presented me with a leaf.

After making the rounds again, Esmeralda handed me a dead flower from a desert rose.

Obviously thinking that she was contributing to Florida room-screened-in patio-lanai clean-up, she continued to find treasures, such as this beauty:

The best I can determine, this is a deceased Junebug.

Esmeralda was on a roll and knew it. She meandered with purpose all around the Florida room-screened-in patio-lanai, depositing leaves, pebbles and flowers into my awaiting hands. Each time, I demonstrated good manners by saying “thank you”. I also praised her for all her hard work by saying “good job” and “you’re such a good helper.”


I knew the pinnacle of her quest for items not-belonging-on-the-ground was reached when Esmeralda’s eyes and mouth were as wide as they could be and she uttered, “Oh, oh, oh!” The very next moment, she place in my hands a true Florida room-screened-in patio-lanai gem:

If she can determine that her finding is the decomposing decapitated head of a lizard and identify the species, herpetology is certainly in her future.

Following an evening of collecting goodies on the Florida room-screened-in patio-lanai, Esmeralda’s feet were killing her. So, she decided to give them a good soak.

The cats are not amused that their water dish has a new purpose.

Ah, Dadhood. Ain’t it great?