Hugs & Kisses

At some point toddlers reach the magical age where they actually learn the concept of playing with other children.  We went through the awkward stage where he would play alongside another child but not with the child.  Then it was the thumb-in-mouth, stand-in-the-corner-while-I-stare-you-down phase.  I think during this phase he secretly wished that the child he was stalking would come up to him and be assertive enough to ask or demand that he play with them.

Well no we've graduated from those 2 phases into the I'm-ready-to-play-so-let-me-get-right-up-in-your-face or the chasing game.  During this phase Colin wants desperately to play with others but it still a bit shy and intimidated.  His solution?  Become a close talker/stalker and wait for the other party to concede to his unspoken request.  Some children are ok with this, others not so much.

The other new option applies to girls only.  To distinguish his level of affection, he chooses to chase the little girls until they giggle - like we girls are known to do.  Who knew this flirtatious giggle began at such a young age?  And who knew it would be my son provoking said giggle?

So the chasing has been going on for a while at his Gymobree class with one particular classmate, Katie. Today, however, he took it to the next level.  Am I really using that terminology to talk about a 2-year old...who is my son no less?!  Wes called to tell me that "my son" was becoming quite the flirt and that he chased both Katie and Kate around giving them kisses!  Kisses?!  I hesitantly asked where these kisses were being placed.  "Oh anywhere - their backs, their arms, their forehead..."  And what did the girls think about it?  Well Katie must have gotten bored with his aggression and tried to play hard to get. Either that or perhaps she was just nervous as to what would happen next!  Wes said she's bossy though and generally makes Colin walk the line in terms of their play together.  She'll say, "Colin!  You stay right there until I get back."  And Colin, being the obedient child that I've raised him to be (ha!) does exactly what she says and stands there and waits.  Looks like a lesson in independence is in order.

So I ask you, as a mother am I supposed to be pleased that I have an affectionate child, or mortified that my 2 1/2-year old is already kissing girls?!  I guess I should have been tipped off when he started hugging the cardboard cutout of Snoopy at Meijer.  This has now become part of the routine and must do this before he leaves the store.  I guess he and Snoopy have some magical (this is Colin's new word and apparently now it's mine too) bond that I'm unaware of.  And how does he even know who Snoopy is?!