For Love of that Hide and Seek Game

Dear Little Ones,

There are many thoughts that pop into a Dad's head when he learns that he is going to have children.  For me, when I learned I was going to have a son, tossing around a baseball and being catcher while he pitched came into my mind pretty early. Then, when I learned I was going to have a daughter, tossing around a softball and being catcher while she pitched that crazy windmill-underhand pitching thing girls do, came into my head pretty early (sorry, I don't know much about softball....yet). While I am still a big football and baseball fan, I am somewhat shocked to admit that my favorite sport is currently the same as Marshall's. We just can't seem to get enough Hide and Seek.

To take any guesswork out of what some of the important things are in life, your Mom and I went ahead and decorated Marshall's nursery in sports. Right from the start, he was surrounded by footballs, baseballs, basketballs, and yes, even soccer balls. (Little girl's room is in flowers and lady bugs. Don't read into this too much, we just like flowers and lady bugs). I am not pushing any particular sports on you kiddos, but I would like it if you do pick up some kind of competition in life.

My little princess has not had a chance to show me too much of your favorite sport yet, but judging by the way you are treating your Mom's belly like a kicking bag, you will either be into soccer, or be the next Rhonda Rousey. The way you flip around could suggest swimming. You also seem to enjoy hide and go seek, as you will pop up in one spot on your Mom's belly, we push on it, and then you move somewhere else. (It's hard to tell, so you also may hate this, and if so, then sorry for playing it all the time).

I have written before about Marshall's favorite sports, and the value (or lack thereof) of winning. But you recently have shown a dedication and focus to your craft as a hider, that is often only seen in Chinese Olympic gymnasts. You are recognizing even the smallest hints of the game. A few stomps from me down the hall, and you know to hide. You don't hide with the intent of being seeked only, but also with the intent of ambushing the seeker as I find the hiding place. It is like I stumble into a surprise birthday part, except instead of yelling surprise, I get tackled, laughed at, drooled on, and sometimes bit.

I don't want to make Marshall seem like a one-dimensional player of the game either. You are equally talented as a seeker. After a few stomps from me, letting you know that I am hiding, you sprint through the house, heading straight for my spot. I usually pick somewhere really tough, like halfway behind the couch, behind the door of the room I just went into, flat on the floor, or even standing up in the middle of the room. But my hiding skills are nowhere near the seeking skills that Marshall brings to the table. As you seek, you laugh and giggle loudly, as if to say "Ha Ha Ha, you don't stand a chance old man. You are outmatched and outwitted.", and then you get closer and closer, laughing harder, and then you usually fall right as you reach me.

There are also times when you have a hard time checking out of the "in the moment" mentality. Sometimes, I am just walking down the hall, and then you sprint towards me and grab on, as if to say "Found you! You suck as this game!". Other times, you may be in the bed of the pickup truck, and just start ducking up and down and then checking to be sure I am coming after you. Your confidence is so high, you will even leave your hand up on the edge of the truck, as if to actually give a mere hide and seek mortal like myself, a shot against the Greek God of the sport that you are. As shown in this picture, you are also willing to showcase your skills anywhere, at any time, against anyone. This is the true mark of a champion. Well done little man.


While Hide and Seek is currently your specialty, you are also picking up some other sports, and you are bringing your own little swagger to each sport. For example, on the little basketball hoop in your room, you will crawl up, jam the ball through it, and then start clapping for yourself. It is the ultimate trash talk, almost like you are saying "Dad, do you have your popcorn ready? Because I am putting on a show".

I will be the first to admit that any favorites you have, such as foods, music, TV shows, or underwears, will change over time. For example, I no longer love ketchup and potato chips, the Backstreet Boys (but don't play a song around me, just in case), Power Rangers (maybe just the White Ranger?), or Batman Underoos (although I would try them if the came in adult sizes). Favorites change as you change, and sports will probably be no different.

I am really glad that our favorite sports are the same right now. I cannot wait to play Hide and Seek as much as possible, but if you guys stay so good at it, I may be forced to start testing for steroids.

Thanks for playing.

Love,
Dad

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