What's that, dada?

When I was growing up, I used to watch a show called The Animaniacs, which featured the Warner siblings, three 1930s cartoon characters of an unknown species. There were other sub-characters that popped up in skits of their own. Two of my favorites were Mindy and Buttons. Mindy was a little blonde-headed girl that obliviously wanders into trouble, while her dog, Buttons, sets about protecting and saving her, only to be blamed for her misbehavior. Throughout the show there was a running joke where Mindy would ask someone, “Whatcha doin’?” When they’d tell her, she’d follow up with, “Why?” They’d try to explain only to be met with another, “Why?” This would go on for several minutes, and then Mindy, seemingly getting bored would suddenly say, “Okay, love you, bye bye!” and run off.

Troy has started to do the same thing to us, and I always laugh thinking of Mindy. He has a slight variation, asking instead, “What’s that, dada?” I’ll tell him, and he’ll point at something else and ask the same question. Over and over again until he’s pointed at everything in the room. Then, he’ll abruptly say, “Okay” and walk off.