The Finder

Growing up my best friend, Mendi, had a LOST HOUSE. Everything got lost at one point or another but always, always found. Nothing was every gone permanently.

I have a LOST HOUSE. Only most of the things I loose are gone forever -- or until years later when it doesn't even matter anymore.

Fortunately for us, we have a FINDER in our midst here at the Chamberlain abode. She's gonna be 2 next week and she is a FINDER of things lost.

She looks like this when she's jabbering to the operator on our sweet rotary dial phone we got from Kate Clark, genius behind the Imaxi. (haven't heard about it? check here or here.)

Anyway, I've always noticed that Penny is particular about a lot of things. (which is surprising considering she's my daughter.) Here's a few particulars, she's particular about.

• going back to close the front gate on the way to to the front door.
• making sure all car doors are closed.
• closing cabinets in the kitchen.
• cleaning up spilled sippy cup messes.
• putting silverware away from the dishwasher

I know, wierd, right?

When Simon was super teeny we went to the mall, probably our first mall outing actually and we bought Penny some shoes. We were there a long time and then finally decided on a pair and left the store. We headed to 'The Children's Place' a few doors down and penny kept pointing back at the shoe store.

"Penny, we already got you some shoes. Let's go into this store."

But she was adamant, pointing over and over again back at the shoe store.

"Sorry sister, were not going back." And i just kept going on my merry way.

Finally, i looked down at the car seat and noticed that Simon's little blanket was missing. I looked all over and then it clicked that that's what Penny was trying to tell me. Then i thought, No way, she's too teeny!

But as soon as i walked back to the shoe store the sales person said, "Here you are, you left your blanket."

And that's when i first knew she was a FINDER.

This morning we were looking all over Owen's backpack. In his room, in the bathroom, in the living room, in the back yard. Everywhere! A few minutes later Penny came in with Owen's backpack saying,

"Mama, back...back."

Then we sat down to let her watch Muno while i took a shower and i couldn't find the remote.

i was lifting up blankets, and clothes on my bed. then she spotted it under some video game cords in the TV cabinet.

"mama, here is."

See what I mean?? A FINDER. Good thing too, heaven knows we could use one.