Saturday, Alice and I went on an adventure. I always call it an adventure when I take her anywhere because even the most ordinary errand feels like magic with my girl.

We were on a mission to find my favorite toothpaste, the one I can only seem to find at a few random stores. Our first stop was TJ Maxx. The moment we walked through the doors, an older woman beamed at Alice and started waving like they were old friends. She looked at me and said, “Can you tell I’m a grandma? And a teacher?” I laughed and said, “Yes, yes I can.” She went on to say, “Boy, you can tell she’s talked to a lot. Most babies aren’t like that.” I said, “Oh, she’s talked to a lot lot.”

We got to the toothpaste area, and she suddenly shouted across the aisle, “Do you know what she looks like?”

I said, “What?”

She grinned and said, “One of those Kewpie dolls!”

I laughed again and said, “Oh my gosh, yes! I’ve told my aunt and my husband that exact thing!”

We said goodbye and wandered through the store. A few minutes later, two more ladies spotted her, and Alice went full social butterfly, waving like she was in a parade.

At the checkout, another woman started waving at her. Then the lady looked away at her phone, and Alice made it her personal mission to win her attention back by being extra adorable. It totally worked. She even tossed a wave to the cashier as we were leaving.

Next, I treated myself to a boba tea at Tea Vibe (because moms deserve a little treat too). The wait was so long for a tea shop, but Alice didn’t mind. She spent the whole time waving and smiling at a dad and his family nearby. He had a huge beard, just like her Dada’s, so maybe that made him extra interesting to her.

Finally, we made one last stop at Natural Grocers, where I finally found my toothpaste! Alice was still at it, waving at a mom and her daughter like she was the official greeter of the day.

Let me just say, I am not used to this much attention. But I have a feeling I better get used to it. Looks like I’ve got a little social butterfly on my hands.