A Short Interview with a Four and a Half Year Old

I told Cuckoo that he and I were going to have a chat.  I would ask him questions, and he would answer them.  We went to sit at the table, in order to be official and all.  This is our conversation word for word.  I will throw in a few bits in italics for clarification.

*******************

What is your favorite thing to do?
Outside?? Anything I want??
Yes.
Camping.  (We have never been camping.)
Why are we doing this?  Why are you writing it down?  So you don't forget?

What is your favorite food?
Spiderman cereal.
Have you ever eaten Spiderman cereal?
No.
Then how do you know you even like it?
Because I like it.  Because it's Spiderman cereal.  'Cause...It's Spiderman...Oh.  Wait.  I know my favorite cereal.  Loops.  Loops are my favorite.  (As in Fruit Loops.  We get them on vacations.)

Are we doing it for real?
Huh?  Are we doing what for real?
Are we doing these things I'm telling you for real?
No.  I'm just asking you questions.
We're not going camping?
No.
I don't want to do this anymore.
Too bad.

I'm leaving for England soon, and some of the bananas may get too ripe.  Will you be able to show Nana how to make banana bread while I'm gone?
Yes.
How do you make it?
Put eggs in.  Oh, no!  Butter.  Put butter in and mix it.  Then put eggs in.  I don't know what is next.
It is called banana bread.
...
...
Oooohhhh.  Bananas.  Put bananas in.  Then mix it!
...
...
I don't know what to do next.

Are you excited for preschool?
No
Mom, I see Spiderman. (A magazine on the table had a photo of Spiderman.)
You get to go to school without me this year.
Oh.  I want to go to preschool.  I just don't want to go with you.

I don't want to do this anymore.  If we aren't doing these things for real, I'm not doing it.

And off he went.

I'll be home soon, carrying with me lots and lots of photos and stories to tell.  If you think of it, say a little prayer for my mom.  She's probably pretty tired by now.  And pray for our flight.  My biggest fear is that our plane will crash and our kids will be left orphans.  Which would mean much sadness.  For the children.  And my sister.  She'd be their legal guardian.

Have a lovely day!