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Saturday, January 10, 2009

Jurassic Love Triangle

The Dinosaur Boy loves dinosaurs. During playtime outside he will carry at least two plastic dinosaurs with him at all times. On Wednesday it was a stegosaurus and a hadrosaur (duck-billed dinosaur), one in each hand.

Erin took a little interest in the dinosaurs, and when Dinosaur Boy put the hadrosaur down for a moment to play with a shovel Erin picked it up. When Dinosaur Boy noticed someone else playing with one of the toys he forgot all about the neat shovel he had discovered and went off in pursuit. Erin had no desire to surrender her trophy, and she eluded him by hiding behind my legs while screeching at the top of her lungs. Dinosaur Boy also screeched, brandishing his stegosaurus and pointing at his betrayer. As he pursued her around my legs she evaded by dashing behind the wooden fence separating the lawn from the ramp up to the door to the daycare room.

Dinosaur Boy charged up to the fence, having noted her location on the opposite side, determined to retrieve his reptile, arms outstretched. But he was unprepared for Erin's defensive acumen, and she fought him off easily and simply.

"Hi!" she unleashed, as she poked her face through the fence. "Hi. Hi. Hi," she repeated, and with a big smile at him he was undone. A trade was proposed, and he gave up the stegosaurus for the much smaller hadrosaur and the hope of more shared glances. As he looked down at his diminished bounty a smile lit up his face, and he sought out her grin again. But she was already gone.

She ran up behind one of the boys whose names she had been reciting at home for two weeks and she enveloped him in a big hug from behind. He resisted a little, but eventually turned around and returned her innocent embrace. But I still felt like I had to interject, and probably not for the last time, "No tongue."

Dinosaur Boy laughed when he saw this happening, and ran off in pursuit, hoping to participate in the hugging and kissing. But Erin and her crush were oblivious to everyone else. Eventually the moment ended and Erin wandered back toward me, a happy grin on her face. As she came down a low rise from the scene, Dinosaur Boy stopped in his following tracks and stared at her departing back, still holding the hadrosaur he had traded for his heart.

"Erin," I said, "I think Dinosaur Boy wants a hug too."

And that daughter of mine spun around and ran up the hill to deliver a bone-crushing hug and to plant a kiss on his face. Then she dropped the stegosaurus she was carrying and ran back over to me.

My doom hid behind my legs again, and I surveyed the carnage.

22 comments:

katherynei said...

Ah, first loves. You should take a picture you can show her later. A little trophy of sorts.

Anonymous said...

And so it begins.

Unknown said...

Your hands are full all ready. That didn't take long ;)

Chicky Chicky Baby said...

Would you like to borrow my shotgun? Just promise to give it back because I've got two girls and, oh my Christ, can't we just put them in convents now?

Shonda Little said...

My oldest started school this year and he has TWO first loves, Raylee and Rylee. I tried to warn him of the dangers of simultaneously loving two girls with such similar names, but he totally ignored my warnings.
Also, that no tongues is hilarious. Spoken like the father of a daughters.

The Tutugirl said...

You're definitely going to have your hands full with Erin. Have fun!

SciFi Dad said...

you haven't taught her that boys have cooties yet?!?

you have failed her as a father.

Aunt Becky said...

Aw. I guess this is what's in store for me, eh? Be still, my heart.

kittenpie said...

Ah, sweet. No really. Just hold onto how sweet and uncomplicated this is right now for when she's older.

Loralee Choate said...

It only gets worse from here.

Jenny Grace said...

It doesn't get any better.

Anonymous said...

You are so screwed.

I'm gonna teach her about back seats and stripper poles. Right after I take her for her first tattoo and piercings.

I can't wait. It's great to be Aunty Redneck.

Bethany said...

That is just sweet. How they become little people instead of babies...

for a different kind of girl said...

I'll openly admit I still have a little thing for the boy in first grade who eyed me adoringly when I'd sharpen my crayons, then slide up next to me, ask for the peelings...and then would eat them!

A girl knows her heart.

Unknown said...

You should check this out if you haven't seen it yet...

Stay At Home Dad - Jon Lajoie

The Microblogologist said...

T. R. O. U. B. L. E.

CRRE said...

I'm not entirely sure what sort of emotions go through a dad when this happens, but when a mom witnesses it we tend to take a silent mental sigh and prepare the "Be kind" speech.

Which really is a disservice to girls, but there you go. Half of us got our first dates because we were only being kind.

Momo Fali said...

Don't let Tanis get ahold of her. Also, Mr. Lady.

Petra a.k.a The Wise (*Young*) Mommy said...

So sweet. I loved this post.

Meg said...

ANd it starts. Good luck with that buddy!

Whit said...

Boys stink and we all know it. Get her out now!

Fancy Schmancy said...

Keep your guns oiled and loaded, Heartbreaker there is going to keep you on your toes!