Stealing Kisses

Now doesn't that sound like a risque title? Sorry to disappoint, but there's nothing risque about this post!

Ben Harper sings a song called "Steal my Kisses" that I've always loved. It's a cute, catchy little song - you can listen to it on Youtube, I'm sure. Lately I've been singing this song in my head a lot, as "stealing kisses" is what I sometimes have to do with my kids! There are a few ways this is done...

When Connor was much younger (I can't remember what age we started this) he went through a phase where he really wasn't into getting kisses from his mommy. So I would plead, beg even, with him for just...insert any number here. It turned into a game where I gave him 20 kisses, and then I had to be done. He loved counting them, so of course I'd always sneak in a few extra to see if he'd notice, which he did. But he grew to love the game and grew out of his aversion to kisses. This was my attempt at stealing as many kisses as I could, while he still let me. We had a lot of fun with this for several years and it became our bedtime ritual, although it does happen more infrequently now. However, I'm grateful for each of those stolen kisses! He'll still ask for those kisses on occasion, but I know this won't last forever.

Then it was Logan's turn to have an aversion to kisses (thankfully Taya hasn't had that), and he would immediately and frantically wipe off any kisses that I managed to land on his face. But the kid is just so darn smoochable, that something had to be done. I need to give that boy kisses! Lots and lots of kisses. I talked him into giving me a couple kisses once after a meal, but I pointed to spots on my face where he had to plant the kisses. Then at just the right moment, I planted a kiss right on his lips, which totally surprised him. But he thought it was hilarious, and now it's the best game ever. We take turns giving each other kisses and surprising each other with the stolen kiss, which of course makes us shriek with laughter. The best part is that now all 3 kids want to play the game (not with each other), so while it lasts, I plan to savour each one of those sweet kisses.

So perhaps I'm stealing kisses, but there's no guilt involved in this theft! I won't even tell you about all the stolen kisses while they are fast asleep...