Purple Neon Poodle

Some Nights I Need To Slow Down

Little Bean is telling me about her mega-neon purple giant poodle that she can ride. She pushes a button and her normal sized poodle becomes the size of a pony and her character gets on and gallops off.

We are in Roblox world and a game called Adopt Me. As near as I can tell, this game has something to do with adopting pets and going around and visiting other friends pets and turning the pets into mega-neon purple poodles.

“And then watch this,” she says. She presses some other button and her costume changes into a sort of white bird with wings and a head dress.

I confess I’m having trouble following. It’s late. I’m on deadline, trying to absorb every minute I can to finish my NYS fire tower field guide and that has meant I haven’t been around her much the past week or so.

She was hovering around me all evening, asking questions, showing me drawings and her balloon animals. I wasn’t very quick on the uptake that she missed me.

So when she asked if she could show me her Roblox world I shoved everything aside and said yes. That will mean an extra half hour tonight - later to bed, more tired at work, less sleep.

But I do get to see a purple neon poodle so that’s something.

“Daddy,” she’s saying, “do you want to see ALL my costumes?”

“Of course I do, I say.

She starts sorting though the pages of costumes her character has. I’m in for a long night. But at least she’s at my side, so we’ll get through together.