Today I'm thankful for Mickey and Minnie Dinosaur.

11/10/19

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Allow me to explain.

About 4:45 this afternoon I was sitting on my couch avoiding my pile of laundry and my sink full of dishes, when my phone rang. It was my dear friend Alex inviting me to grab a bite to eat with her and her son Carlo. Of course, my answer was a resounding yes, and we quickly made a plan to meet.

As they walked into the restaurant, Alex was chatting with Carlo about the little dinosaur toys that he'd brought along to play with. The hostess overheard and told them that she had a mini dinosaur toy for him as well. As they sat down, she brought a small dinosaur toy to the table and Alex and I excitedly oohed and ahhed over his new mini dinosaur. Carlo repeatedly asked his mom to get out his Mickey dinosaur so he could play with them together. After some brief confusion, Alex realized that he thought his new "mini" dinosaur was a "Minnie Dinosaur" and naturally he needed his "Mickey Dinosaur" to go with it, 'cuz, well ... duh!

Carlo is truly one of the coolest toddlers I know. I love all kids, but there's something special about this boy. He is sweet and hilarious and smart and charming and caring and curious and ridiculously well-behaved. He ate his dinner and played with his dinosaurs like a champ, patiently letting Alex and I chat away and catch up. She, for the record, is also sweet and hilarious and smart and charming and caring and one of the coolest grown-ups I know. I'm blessed our paths crossed back when we taught together at the same school and I'm so very thankful for the friendship that ensued.

So tonight, among my blessings, I most definitely count:

• the gift of friendship

• the gift of toddlers (I mean, check out his adorable expressions!)

• spontaneity

• a generous hostess

• and the adorable confusion over a 'mini' dinosaur that still has me chuckling hours later