Clock

William is excited about his friend's birthday today. I explained to him that it's not until later this afternoon, but since he's a toddler, that didn't make any sense at all.

I showed him the clock and explained slowly and carefully that the small hand has to go all the way to the 3, and then it's time for the party. I pointed at the numbers and counted with him, "1...2..." and let him answer "3!"

Since then (about an hour ago) he has hastily and excitedly summoned me into the living room to show me that the little hand had moved a little bit. We're now sitting in the basement, and he and Evie are watching a German cartoon on DVD.

All of a sudden, he jumped up from the couch and started running toward the stairs. This is usually the sign that he has to go to the bathroom, so I asked him where he's going.

As he bounded up the stairs, one by one, he quickly babbled something indistinct, but I caught the word "clock." He was checking to see how far it had moved again. Incredible. Adorable.

When he came back downstairs, he reported back to me that it had indeed gotten a little closer to the birthday party.