Kissy Face

When we were visiting Oregon earlier this month (I can't believe June is almost over already), we had lunch at the Rogue Brewery. That's some seriously tasty beer.

While we were waiting for our food, Pete and Nora went over to the side of the room to play with a Lego table that was set up there. As soon as they arrived at the table, a little boy who was already there grabbed Nora and sat her down next to him. They sat down beside each other for a little bit, and when Nora tried to stand up, he'd grab her arm and keep her from leaving. Then he started hugging her. And then, he started kissing her.

He was definitely not creating a scene for the sake of his parents or so people would laugh or notice him. He just wanted to sit down and do some kissing. And Nora was completely into it. Then she was leaning over and giving him kisses and not letting him leave.

I was a little bit dumbstruck as a Dad. I thought it was completely harmless and cute, but I did feel a little bit protective, in a way that made no rational sense to my mind. There was no danger. They were just two toddlers showing affection in the manner that they're accustomed to. I guess I thought I'd get to ease into the experience of other humans showing affection for my humans.

There are more pictures in the web album.

Ditch

We just got back from a two-week vacation to Oregon. Seeing the beach, doing fun activities with the kids (such as the Rose Festival above), and getting back in touch with old friends was great, but overall, the vacation was not relaxing. But so it goes with kids, who must be entertained.

New pictures from the trip available in the album to the right.

Despite the fun we had on the trip, the two stories I'm going to share are from the car ride home from the Denver Airport on Wednesday evening.

1. Pete was playing with a doll in the back seat, giving a commentary on what he was doing, putting the baby to sleep, getting the baby up, and changing the baby's diaper. It was at this point that we heard him say to himself, "And now I wipe out the baby's ditch".

2. Later, Pete told me that he'd seen the billboard that features Bethany Hamilton, the surfer who lost her arm to a shark. It looks something like this:



I explained that she was brave for going back to surfing despite her accident, and asked whether Pete could be that brave, and he answered, "Yeah, I would go back in, but what if a shark came along and chomped off my other arm?!"

Me, quietly: Well, that might be the time to quit surfing...

Pete: If a shark ate my other arm, I would go back in, but what if another shark came along and ate up my head?!

It proceeded like this, until both arms, both legs, and his head had been eaten up, but Pete continued his surfing ways until finally his body got gulped up.

P.S. I was gently scolded 3 or 4 times on the trip for neglecting this blog, so I'm going to make a stronger effort to do my job and keep the updates coming. I understand that for the 2 people still reading it, it's a valuable way to keep in touch with our goings-on.

P.P.S Huge congratulations to Jennie and Jeremy and new baby Ryan. Better get some pics online, pronto.