Night of the Living Penguin

A few weeks ago as we were shopping in Wal-Mart, we browsed the Christmas section and found a singing/dancing penguin. Jackson thought it was hilarious and kept asking when we got home (and for a few days afterwards), "Where's my penguin?" and "Go buy penguin?" I told him that maybe we could get it for Christmas or that he could ask Santa. Either way, I was convinced he loved the penguin, and that he would love to play with it. So, yesterday when I went to pick up a few things, I decided to buy the penguin for him. I consulted Matt, and we decided to give it to Jackson after Family Home Evening. After our lesson and after we'd decorated our Christmas tree, we presented the penguin to Jackson. By the look on his face, you'd swear he'd never seen the thing before and that he wasn't sure about the thing. Since he loves penguins, he brushed aside the wariness. That is until he pushed the on/off button and the penguin started moving around. Jackson really wanted to be excited, but he was too scared that the penguin was going to "get" him. He put it under the tree, and then kept eying the animal -- worrying that it would spontaneously come to life.

This morning before the lights were on in the living room, Jackson practically tip-toed towards the room keeping his eyes peeled on the tree trying to spy the penguin, but not sure what he'd do when he saw it. I told him that I'd put "penguin" up on the fireplace mantle, and gave Jackson the "go-ahead" to safely enter the room. After about five minutes, Jackson wanted to play with the penguin. He'd push the button, then jump back about three steps away to watch and laugh that really loud, almost fake laugh -- as if to say, "I'm really enjoying myself, really I am." Being the sympathetic parents we are, Matt and I'd push Jackson towards the dancing penguin and laugh at his reaction. Jackson would retreat further and further away with each push towards the toy. Well, Jackson's finally "mostly" warmed up to the toy as he's been playing with it for the last hour. However, he waits for the song to finish because if the feet are moving and you push the off button, they finish out their cycle, and this promotes that fear of the live penguin.
Can you see the worry as he tries to push the button and hold the button away from the scary feet? So funny to me!