Daddy practice

Today, some friends came for a visit, with their two children. One is a boy of five years old, who has known my wife and I since he was born, the younger is a girl who just turned two. The girl does not know us as well, obviously. But I was really happy because today she really bonded with me. We went to a picnic to the park and at some point, when she saw her big brother running around the grass playing tag with me, she just joined in, not shy like she used to be sometimes, but all happy and smiling like I was an uncle. She still cannot pronounce my name, she calls me "man", but she now also calls for "man": on the playground she asked for me to help her get on the swings and slides, but also when she was having a tantrum, to calm her down. Which was a really sweet moment. Anyway, as I am on my way to become a dad, I welcomed this day of practicing the role. Even though I know it is only the easy parts I had to do today: being funny and entertaining. Still, it's good practice.