The Future

One of my favorite things about being home is the rich conversation I get to share with the kids after school. I get to make sure they spend the time they are supposed to on homework, without copying. I get to make sure they actually read out loud (and to celebrate when they finish their first chapter book all by themself, like Casey did last week). I get to sneak to the classroom right after school to ask the teacher a quick question about something fishy. I get more of the best of them. And I like that.

Yesterday, during snack time after school, Casey was entertaining Tate (as usual). This typically involves a lot of high-pitched noise-making and dancing around. It kills me to ask them to stop because Tate clearly enjoys it-- and loves joining in with his own high-pitched noise-making and laughter. Casey turned to me, somberly, after he'd finished making himself a PB&J and said:

"Mom, this is what I'm going to do when I grow up. I'm going to make sandwiches."
"That's great Casey," I replied.
"Yep. I'm going to make all the little kids happy by making them peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. And I'm going to be a spy."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. I'm going to be a spy when I'm 19. And then, when I'm 23, I'm going to become a sandwich maker. And I'm going to take care of my wife and Tate."
"You're going to have a wife when you're 23?"
"Uh huh. And we're going to take care of Tate. 'Cause you'll be too old by then."

I looked up at him at this point (I was feeding Tate). "How old do you think I'm going to be when you're 23, Casey?" I asked.
"Hmm. I don't know. But when Tate is 7, I'm going to take care of him."
"Casey, you know Dad and I will still be around when Tate is 7. We won't be dead."
"But you'll be old."
"Well, I hate to disappoint you, Casey, but when Tate is 7, Dad and I will only be 43."
"Oh," Casey responded. "Well, maybe I'll wait to get married until I'm 30 then."

And off he skipped (yes, skipped) to do homework.