Aug 24 2007
My sweet boy
Today was Zoe’s first day of daycare. AJ went to my mom’s today to save us a few bucks before returning to school full time next week. AJ woke up cranky as it was because I woke him up. He hates it and it always starts his day of badly if we have to wake him: dressing is guaranteed to be a battle. While John battled him, I got Zoe dressed and ready for Marilyn’s house.
After everyone (but John) was dressed and ready to walk out the door, AJ turned to me and asked if Zoe was coming with us. I told him that she wasn’t, he was going to NonnaPop’s and Zoe was going to Marilyn’s. He started to whimper and said “She can’t!” (My heart was already breaking and this did not help!) I reminded him that Marilyn had taken very good care of him for a long time and that she would take good care of Zoe too. He still wasn’t happy. I finally decided that he would need a reassuring phone call that all was well, so I offered that Daddy would call Marilyn at lunch time and check on Zoe and then Daddy would call AJ to report how Zoe was doing. This seemed to satisfy him.
We had two crises on the way to the van: AJ bumped his head on the front door when we were putting on his hoodie sweatshirt and something (maybe the storm door?) scratched his leg on the way to the van. Of course, I did both on purpose. Somewhere along the line, I thought once I got him loaded in the car we’d talk about Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, but I’m pretty sure I forgot by the time I got him buckled into his car seat so that didn’t happen.
When we got to the parking lot to meet Mom and Vince, AJ was initially excited, but as soon as he was out of the car he got clingy and shy. I picked him up, gave him hugs and reminded him that we’d call later with an update on his sister.
I called Marilyn at my first opportunity which was about 11:15. She told me she was surprised she hadn’t heard from me sooner because I’d warned her I would probably drive her nuts today. Zoe was fine but had a small crying session before settling down for a cat nap in the early morning. Marilyn woke her for her bottle and she was back to sleep by the time I called.
After we got off the phone, I reported in to John and told him I’d call AJ. It took me a while to get him because they were out riding bikes—he did 9 miles on the trailer bike behind Vince! When I finally talked to him, he told me about his bike ride and then handed the phone back to Mom. I had to ask to talk to him again to tell him about Zoe, so I guess he forgot he was worried. 
After work we had a social for faculty. Mom and Vince brought AJ to me there and he had a walking stick in his bug collection jar he wanted to show off, so we went back inside to show it to the science guys. He showed it off to several people including the chorus teacher’s daughter. On the way home, I asked him what the best part of his day was and he told me showing the walking stick to the little girl. I can’t wait to tell Marisa!
He also told me that he was going to go to college so he could have lots of money.
“That’s good, AJ, what will you study in college?” I will take my scooter and I will learn how to ride motorcycles.
“You will?” Yes, you have to go to college so you can get money.
“That’s right, you do. But you need to learn how to do a job so you can earn money. What kind of job do you want?” Just riding motorcycles, like my Dad.
“Your Daddy doesn’t ride motorcycles.” I will buy him one so he can.
“I don’t think you can ride motorcycles for a living.” (And I’m thinking to myself, unless you’re planning on going to Clown College!) He assured me he can and that’s all he wants to do. I love talking to my four year old!
