To my boys - guest post from Daddy

During the holidays I've really enjoyed spending more time with you two, both down out of town and at home. Slowing down the pace of life offers a welcome chance to catch up and rediscover who you are turning out to be. We've had lots of chances for adventures and your enthusiastic outdoor explorations. But you're also starting to pick up some more fun inside toys—already throwing aside the Lego instruction booklet and putting together whatever kind of spaceships or trucks you can come up with.

You love making up songs and tunes, but some of the funniest things you've made up are the stories. One day at lunch you both started telling me about Peanut Town. Apparently it's a place you can visit where everything is made out of peanuts (except the water; it's made of peanut butter.) You told me all about the people who live there, what kinds of things they have in their town, and how it's down the road to the south of California. Then you asked if we could go to Peanut Town some day. I had to sadly tell you we couldn't go somewhere that isn't real, but Buddy was quick to point out that "maybe somewhere there is a Peanut Town; we can't know for sure," which made me smile.

I love the way Button can still get cuddly even though he's almost three and a half. When we're at the table and it's not an appropriate time for a real hug he's happy to substitute with a "table hug" where he wraps his arms around himself and you do the same. Buddy is always keeping me on my toes the way he always wants to understand what's going on and how things work.

It's been a great privilege to raise you two, and I can't wait to see what the coming years bring.

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