It was a nice spur of the moment Saturday. We decided to go down to DC to see the MLK Jr memorial since we haven’t seen it yet. I thought it would be cool if we took Nariah’s new bike down and learned to ride on the waterfront afterwards. So we saw the memorial and rode the bike. Nice fun time. As we’re winding down, Toya is changing Toryn’s diaper at the car. Nariah and I walk to the waters edge to see the airplanes landing at Reagan airport. Now over the past month or so, Nariah has claimed that she’s speedy fast. So fast, that she is in fact, faster than everyone in the family, especially me. Sooooo, she decides to challenge me right here and now.
“Daddy, lets race now, and I’ll show you I’m faster than you!”
“Oh boy… Nariah, now? We’ve been walking all day, and you’ve been riding your bike, and my neck is still sore from that diving incident.”
“Awww man, we’re never gonna race.”
“But Nariah, you can’t beat me. I am Daddy!” Yes, I said this in the ominous booming voice full of deep bass.
“Yes I can, you don’t understand, I’m speedy fast, my legs go like this…” and she proceeds to run in place and then displays the Usain Bolt victory pose.
So now I’ve been punked… again by my daughter. Its on now!
“Ok, you asked for it! Just know this, I’m not your friend right now, this is war! What tree are we going to?”
We agree on the tree and… on your mark… get set… go!
Like I’m sure all parents do, I toyed with her for a little bit before winning by a good measure. I got to the tree first and did a maniacal laugh for extra fun, “Muah ha ha hahahahah, I am… DADDY!!!!!!”
(A little backdrop for what happens next. I play basketball with a bunch of coworkers every Tuesday and Nariah comes with me until Toya picks her up on her way home from work. Most of us are older guys, but there are a few younger whippersnappers in there who run up and down the court like little jackalopes that drank three 5hour energy drinks and a red bull.)
“Ok, this wasn’t right! Daddy, we’re racing back to the other tree, and this time, run like you run at basketball.”
“At basketball? I thought you said I look good out there?”
“You do daddy, but you’re slow, you run like this…”
Nariah proceeds to sloppily jog in place like a slow zombie with her head flip flopping from side to side.
“That’s how I know I can beat you!”
I was dying laughing in between realizing my feelings were hurt. I guess I have to get in shape and keep up with the young whippersnappers when she’s looking.
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