Birthday conversations

A conversation with the middle boy, a couple days ago, during a brief passing phase of kangaroo interest.

Him:  Mum, what do you like doing best?

Me:    Spending time with you baby.    Pause

Him:   What's your favourite hobby?  Well, it doesn't have to be your favourite, but what do you like to do?

Me:    Hmm.  Well I quite like taking photos.    Pause

Him:   What's your favourite animal?

Me:    I think it's a pony.  No, no it's a horse.  I'm picking horse.   Pause

Him:   Do you like kangaroos?

Me:    I do as it happens, I really like kangaroos.

To be fair, he did put a picture of me with a camera on the back of the card.

After school today I had the following conversation with the biggest boy.

Him:  What did you do today on your birthday?

Me:   Well after I took you to school, I washed up, did some washing and hung it out to dry, I hoovered, dusted and washed the kitchen floor, I fed the guinea pigs, did some cooking, changed a bed or two, cleaned out the guinea pigs and put the washing away.  It was a really special day.  Long pause.

Him:   Are you being sarcastic?

Well, maybe a little.  But I did have a wonderful long phone conversation with a friend who lives in Jamaica now.  The kind of conversation with the kind of friend that makes you feel that everything will be okay, that there is someone on your side, someone who understands, who makes you feel that you can take on the world, and that the world is a wonderful place.

One year older.  Probably none the wiser.  Pressing on regardless.