smacky and bucky

The oldest is almost four. He is very independent in a lot of ways. He goes to the bathroom, says when he's hungry or tired, and knows what he likes and dislikes. He also likes his friends and is eager to please. We were watching two boys of a friend of ours yesterday evening. One is H's age and one is six. We were going to read all four boys a story before the wife took the other boys home to sleep in their own beds. The other two boys were playing with H's Legos, so he took it upon himself to pick the book to read.

"Is this one cool?" I heard him ask.
"No," the older boy responded.

H returned to the bookcase and tried again.

"Is this one cool, guys?"
"No!" both boys answered.

H looked a little deflated as he returned to the bookcase and I went over to him and said, "Hey, don't worry about it. We'll read the book about cowboys together after they leave, just you and daddy." He smiled.

I looked down at the book he had handed me ... the one he thought might be cool enough for his friends:


And my heart melted. He is almost four, but that means he is also a little three-year-old boy. He still views the world with innocent, wide eyes. He hasn't become jaded and cynical. In his world, "Little Lost Kitten" could just be the cool book that his friends want to hear. Good for him.