K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Hunter has asked me a couple of times recently why "some kids think it's gross when other people kiss and hug", or why "kids sing the K-I-S-S-I-N-G song when people kiss and hug?  I'm not like that.  I don't see anything wrong with it."  He's perceptive, and I'm glad he's not conforming to the attitudes of "all" the other little kids.  I think I started having crushes on boys in about the third grade, which he is about to enter.  Dean gives us each a kiss every morning before he heads to work, and of course the boys are all happy to get kisses from me and each other.  Seeing Dean and me kiss is pretty commonplace around here.  And we haven't forgotten about Hunter kissing little Karen on the bus last year...

Speaking of Hunter, while in Ramah for a couple of weeks this summer, the high school volleyball coach put on a volleyball camp for kids as young as Hunter for three days, a few hours each day.  I took him and he had fun.  He was the only boy I saw there, though he says he wasn't the only one.  I don't make a point of entertaining my kids 'round the clock, so they are generally eager to do about anything out of their ordinary.

Once we came here, there was a Vacation Bible School advertised for a week.  It looked like it would be fun, and an opportunity for him to meet other kids in the village, and something to do.  I feel really bad for the boys that there really isn't much to do here as of yet, since we don't have a backyard any more nor do we live in a cul-de-sac.  If they want to ride bikes or anything like that I have to be out there with them, which I just don't have the time or inclination right now especially (although I have been taking them swimming several times a week - it is right across the street).  We made a point of being low key about the bible school, but did explain to him that we believe in the Book of Mormon and the Bible, but other religions do not, particularly the sort that put on VBS.  He had a good time, and by the end of the week he did say that once they were talking about the Bible being the only Word of God, and he stated that the Book of Mormon was also.  He was told "no no no; only the Bible".  No harm there, since we discussed it with him and he has a sure footing in the Gospel.  I think that exposure to other thoughts and ideas is a good thing, and with the proper guidance can help us appreciate what we have in the Gospel.