I grab Daisy and hold her still while Natalie wipes the pink frosting off her muzzle and Maddie holds the bowl of pink frosting safely out of reach.
"Operation De-Pinkification," Maddie announces.
"Strong name," I say.
Finally Natalie pulls the spatula away and wipes Daisy's face one last time. The dog looks deeply offended but significantly less pink.
"Crisis contained," Natalie says.
"Mostly," Maddie says, pointing at one remaining pink puff on the top of Daisy's head.
Natalie sighs. "That one might be permanent."
Daisy sneezes and trots away like nothing happened.
Natalie straightens and looks at the purple frosting bowl.
"All right," she says. "Back to purple before the dog invents another color."
Maddie hugs Natalie around the waist and nearly knocks her off balance.
"She’s way more fun than you, Daddy," Maddie announces.
I put a hand over my chest.
"I’m extremely fun."
"You make me do math," Maddie says.
Natalie snorts. "Fair point," she says.
The oven timer suddenly goes off. Natalie jumps up and pulls the first batch of cupcakes out of the oven, setting the tray carefully onto a cooling rack while Maddie peers over the counter to inspect them.
"Okay," Natalie says, already reaching for more batter. "Round two."
They line the next tray while the first cupcakes cool.
While pouring the batter, they are both concentrating like this is brain surgery.
Maddie is explaining the decorating plan in intense detail.
"After they cool, we frost them," she says. "Then we add sprinkles. Then we make them sparkle."
"Sparkle is important," Natalie agrees seriously.
"Extremely," Maddie says.
I watch them for a minute.
Natalie listens to Maddie like she is the head chef of a Michelin restaurant.
She lets Maddie make decisions.
Lets her stir.
Lets her explain things.
Maddie absolutely glows under the attention.
