Peg-leg Pete appears as an arch-nemesis and the main antagonist in Mickey Mouse universe stories.

A couple of years ago, my then two-year-old son, Hugh Michael, and I were watching another episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. I saw a character named Pete…the sometimes nice, sometimes mean antagonist of the show.

I asked Hugh Michael, “Is Pete nice or mean?”

He just looked at me and stared.

I realized that my son didn’t know the difference between nice and mean — nor does any other two-year-old. People are just people to them…and from a toddler’s perspective there’s probably some manner of goodness in everyone.

What a great way to see the world…no mean…just nice.

At the very least, Hugh Michael gets a smile out of most people. Some wave or wink. Still others come over and give him a soft tickle. Those closest to him make sure his every need is met…a diaper changed, a meal provided, a book read at night, a warm hug or a toy-filled bath.

Maybe we adults could learn a lesson from the expectations of a two-year-old.

What a place it would be if we didn’t distinguish between nice and mean. What if we saw every person as a benevolent soul who might, at the very least, offer a wave or a smile? What if we assumed good lurked around every corner, as opposed to fearing the shadows of today’s world?

What if, rather than hurrying past our fellow man, we found the time to encounter other humans as folks encounter small children? Offer a warm hello, a hearty laugh…or a meal or shelter to those who cannot provide for themselves.

We do very little of this because, over time, we became sceptics, jaded by realities or hurtful personal experiences. Stress and anxiety, and sometimes paranoia, have taken over.

Two-year-olds live with a sort of peace that I envy…because they take people as they come…no preconceived notions, no haughty expectations and no presumptuous thoughts.

We saw the world that way when we were young, so we have the capacity to do it again.

No mean…just nice…the way Hugh Michael says it should be.

On Saturday, I was sitting on the floor in our TV room watching college basketball.  Hugh Michael and Haley were playing and the three of us were fairly preoccupied with our activities. At some point, I looked over at Hugh Michael, our four-year-old, and I was surprised at what I saw.

He too was watching basketball.  He too was leaning up on his elbows and he too had his feet crossed…right foot over left foot. That’s right, he was sitting just like me. And he continued to watch me…mimicking my every move.  Haley was doing the same.

Wow, I thought, how long had they been watching me? Were they watching when I cussed out the referee? Were they watching when I threw the remote in anger. And were they watching when my wife brought me a drink, but I failed to say thank you because I was so into the game?

It’s right then that I realized we have two impressionable young children on our hands. They are veritable lumps of clay who will turn out in the ways we mold them. Great. Just great. Now I really do have to mind my Ps and Qs (as my grandmother used to say).

As I pondered my fate, I thought about what our kids needs to learn…and a few of the things I hope they pick up along the way.

First, the obvious…

Good manners — Yes sir, no sir, yes m’aam, no m’aam, thank you and please. Folks say we southerners are sticklers for such idioms and I agree. It just sounds good…particularly when addressing one’s elders.

Good eatin’ — Eat lots of fruit, vegetables and anything that comes out of grandma’s kitchen. If you restrict yourself to McDonald’s Happy Meals and doughnuts from Krispy Kreme, not only will you hit 400 pounds and only live to be 35, but you’ll miss out on fresh turnip greens, twice-baked potatoes, asparagus with a liberal spread of hollandaise sauce and every kind of seafood imaginable.

Get outside and stay there — Today’s video game, television on-demand world is for the birds. Outside is where the action is (and the birds are). Grab your buddies and build a fort…play army man, cops and robbers, anything to get the blood flowing. Ride a bike.  Fly a kite.  Challenge your next door neighbor to a foot race. Get good and sweaty…you’ll feel better and you’ll sleep well at night. And when you are older, keep up the physical activity; it will keep you young.

Keep the faith — I don’t talk much about religion on this blog, but I value my Christian faith. Hugh Michael and Haley have been in church since the time they were born…and I hope they keep it that way. More than a habit, it’s a way of life — while recognizing that none of us are perfect.

And a few more…

Read, read, read — Both of our children love books. We read three or four before bedtime each night. I hope they keep it up. Reading opens the door to new worlds. It expands one’s vocabulary. And it gives you interesting tidbits to share at cocktail parties. And don’t just read the easy stuff, like the latest John Grisham novel (although I do LOVE Grisham). Read history, a little science and the literary classics. And a subscription to the Sunday New York Times is a must!

Travel — I’ve had the good fortune to travel to lots of cool places in our country. My favorite is California…whether it’s the beaches of Malibu, the pace of LA, the laid-back atmosphere in Napa Valley or the incredible beauty of Pebble Beach, California is awesome. My one regret, though, is that I’ve never spent much time overseas. I missed the backpack through Europe and stay in cheap hostels deal. Get a passport kids!

Take time for yourself — Boy we never hear that often enough! If you’re like me, life moves at an incredibly hectic pace. But take time to take care of yourself — it’s the only self you’ve got. Set aside some quiet personal time to reflect. Get a massage. Indulge with some extra sweets sometimes BEFORE dinner. Whatever it takes to put your mind at ease and relax.

Watching my kids watch me really is a thrill. I know they loves me and I enjoy teaching them new things. And I’m more mindful to explain what I’m doing as I drive the boat, bait a hook or cook on the grill. They’re like little sponges taking it all in…which is why I’ve had to upgrade my vocabulary and switch to milk and water. It’s more healthy and sets a better example.

Wow, maybe this new stage with my kids is teaching me a few things too!

I think Haley's had one too many sippie cups of milk.

It was really not that long ago that I was a bachelor, surrounded by great friends and living a fairly easy going existence.

I had two roommates. We lived in a condo on the river. We took road trips. We went to ballgames. We were three guys living the high life.

Slowly but surely our buddies began to marry off…but we hung tough.

My how times have since changed.

Thursday morning, my life went full circle from those days as a fun-loving bachelor to my days as a dad.

I took my daughter to her weekly preschool. As I was checking her in, another dad walked in with his toddler. He looked vaguely familiar. He looked like a guy I once knew. A guy that, like me, was once a single guy living the life. He left town, moved to Napa Valley and started his own winery. How cool is that?!?!

The last time I saw him we were finishing my whirlwind, three-day bachelor party in Las Vegas. Still just guys having a good time.

Fast forward eight years. Now we’re both married. We each have two children. We’re slinging diaper bags over our shoulders and Vegas seems like a distant memory.

On another day, in another environment, perhaps over a beer, I could have caught up with my old friend…laughed about old times, talked about the new challenges of being a dad.

But our actual exchange was a little more awkward…a jarring vision really, trying to juxtapose the old picture of our free-wheeling selves with the new image of responsibility, parenthood and poopie diapers.But every once and a while, my mind shifts back to the days when the schedule was mine and mine alone.

So we did what guys do…we grunted “how ya’ doing,” without really expecting an answer…then mumbled something about trying to get together soon…then a quick move out the door into our sedans and minivans before having to fully admit that we are now the guys we once laughed at. The ball and chain guys. The ones who had baby food on their neck ties and pacifiers in their pockets.

Don’t get me wrong. I love being a dad and a husband. It’s a blessing and a gift…and I would not change my life for anything.

But every once and a while, my mind shifts back to the days when the schedule was mine and mine alone. When late nights were spent howling at the moon, not calming a screaming baby. And when the anxiety of date night had nothing to do with whether or not the babysitter closed the baby gate at the top of the stairs.

That’s what happened when I saw my old buddy in the preschool line…and saw the stain of old apple sauce on his tie.

Boy, what a difference a few years make.