Stinky, Stinky, Stinky!

Sometimes I wonder how my children are going to be when they grow up. More often I wonder how Mason is going to be. I think it’s because he’s a bit older and I can start to see him relate to the world and to others around him.

For the most part, he’s a sweet, loving and sensitive boy but he has his moments. Especially when he’s marching around the room and around me saying, “stinky pants, stinky legs, stinky face, stinky EVERYTHING!” “Stinky mommy, stinky carpet, stinky couch, stinky table.” If you can imagine, his volume is pretty loud, the smirk and giggle is ever present and his head is bobbing side to side as he says each word with his long hair swishing around. He can hardly control himself because he’s saying “stinky” for every other word and me, mommy, isn’t doing anything about it!

I think I just had a moment. I envisioned him 16 years from now at some college party and being “that” guy. The one that you thought was totally cute but such a….well, such a guy! I don’t want that for my son! Is that so terrible? But I don’t! I want him to be the guy standing in the corner with the cute girl watching “that” guy and chuckling at the sight.

I’m a horrible person aren’t I!

So, in that moment, that he was parading around saying the word “STINKY” after every other word no matter what it was, I kind of lost it. I turned to him and completely regressed into my 4 year old self and said, “STINKY, STINKY, STINKY, STINKY, STINKY, STINKY!!!!!”

It took a minute. I think Mason had to let what just happened sink in, but he completely burst into a fit of laughter. I don’t think he could believe what I just said.

I composed myself, took a deep breath and said, “I think that must be your favorite word! Stinky!”

What came next, not only surprised me, but gave me hope that maybe, just maybe, he will be that guy that’s standing in the corner with the cute girl chuckling. He said with a sweet look and a little laugh, “No mama, my favorite word isn’t stinky!”

“It’s not???” I said. “Well then, what IS?”

His answer… “LOVE is my favorite word.”

Right then he lays on a big smile, big enough for his cute little dimple on his left cheek to come shining through and comes up to me and gives me a hug.

Sigh.

If anyone asks why people have children, it’s for moments just like that one.

I love you Mason and all of your stinkiness!!