As my wife gradually walked into the lake water, I knew I had my challenge cut out for me.  Be playful, but not annoying.  Be silly, but not endanger my well being.

I slithered on my belly through the shallow water.  Charlene was in the water up to her ankles judging if she wanted to go in further.  Seeing my not-so-stealthy approach and accurately assessing my devious intentions, she warned, “Don’t touch me.”

Testing the boundaries, I stuck out a single index finger from beneath the water and gently poked her leg.  She had every right at this point to kick her annoying husband, but she waited for my next move.

I poked again trying to garner some response.

Witnessing this interaction from the safety of the boat dock, our 7-year-old son Ben assessed the situation.  “Dad is like a 2-year-old trying to annoy people.”

Ah, good call young Ben.  Just add “playful” to the 2-year-old description and I think you’ve painted a pretty fair picture.