there’s nothing like the undivided attention of a 2-year-old redheaded boy to make you feel like the most special person on the face of the planet. as most of you should know 2-year-old boys have the attention span of a flea, so if you can keep one amused for even 12 minutes, you’re something amazing.

today i had cade going for at least 19 minutes. we played edward tong hands, which was great fun. the game consists of me taking the tongs, and then shaking his hand with it while i say, “pleased to meet you,” and he says, “ouch” and pulls his hand out. repeat 37 times.

then we played straw walrus. which really is just putting the straw sideways in your mouth and then raising your chin up towards the ceiling. then you take the straw out of your mouth and pretend to hand it to the other person only to pull it away at the last minute. once you finally capture the straw you have to laugh uproariously before you do the mouth/chin thing. repeat 22 times.

then i accidentally got wrapped up in a conversation with sister #3 when i was supposed to be watching cade run around with the cow flashlight that moos. he, of course, noticed this heinous oversight on my part, and came over and tapped on my arm until i was watching him and laughing appropriately.

then we played shove as many m&ms into your mouth as possible game. i gave him this one. because, i could have dumped the entire bag into my mouth. i didn’t think that would have been much fun for him.

then he got tired, climbed up into my lap, nestled his head between my chin and my collarbone, then looked up, gave me a kiss and went up for a nap.

and i could have died from sheer happiness right there.