When Zoe comes out

Exactly two seconds after I took the preceding story-time photo, Lyla became very distracted.



Julie figured out Lyla wanted Zoe, a puppet that lives on the shelf. Lyla is certain Zoe is alive, even though she has the same voice as her mama and occasionally the same voice as her dada. She moves and talks; therefore, she is.

In case you've never seen a 15-month-old interact with a puppet, here you go. First comes Lyla's look of anticipation as Mama gets Zoe ready.


Next is the part where Lyla has a conversation with Zoe, which consists of pointing at her and saying "Dz-oh-ee."


Then Lyla becomes mildly freaked out after Zoe says something back to her.


Which is followed by Lyla signing to Mama that she's "all done" with Zoe.


But with a little encouragement from Mama, Lyla touches Zoe and remembers that Zoe is her friend.


So she signs "thank you" to Zoe for coming out to chat.


And story time resumes.