"Smooch!"
I love kisses. I love John kisses. I tolerate Blue kisses (beagle breath can be pretty rank). Harry kisses are few and far between so I love them when I get them. Most of all, I love Sprite kisses.
I love the way she leans in and purses her lips together, her eyes not quite closing, as she gets closer. She doesn't make a sound as her tight lips buzz yours. You have to make the smooching sound for her or the kiss does not end.
She does discriminate in who gets to bask in her affection. Mommy and Daddy usually get first dibs on her kisses and then it's luck of the draw depending on her mood and whether or not she's giving you the stink-eye. For Sprite, the stink-eye goes to whomever is invading her personal space without her permission and whomever she is deciding to ignore at that particular moment. Don't take it personal. We're trying not to. (sniff)
During morning rush, John and I can get a kiss with little effort from her. Once I get her to school, it's a different ball game. We stomp into her classroom where the teacher and a couple of other toddlers are already congregated, and Sprite's attention wanders off along with her hearing.
"Sprite, I'm leaving. Can I have a kiss?" She walks farther away to inspect a spot on the wall.
"Sprite." The teacher is noticing my trouble in getting her to look at me. I walk closer, determined to make her acknowledge me. "Sprite."
She turns to me and smiles as if this is the first time she's seen me all morning.
"Mommy!" I open my arms and she leans into my embrace.
I lean forward and make the smooching sound as I pucker my lips for a goodbye kiss. She turns her cheek.
Rejection from a one year old?
I release her and pat her firmly on the tushy before leaving. Once out the door, I stop at the classroom window for a few seconds to make sure she's playing and not crying. She walks over to her friend Logan and purses her lips, leaning in. He leans back, not wanting to play this game.
I have to smile. All's fair after all.
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