Work

Isaac began asking what other people were doing when Craig was away last month on a 10-day business trip -- Isaac would say "Don't know what Daddy doing," and I would answer that he was working in Amsterdam. Pretty general answer, but it seemed to satisfy him.

But now our discussions about work have grown more specific, so if you ask Isaac "What does Daddy do at his job?" you are likely to get some of the following responses: work in his lab; send some email; use machine; do science; talk to some people.

Isaac knows what other people do at work, too. Opa's job is to "ride his tractors" and "see how his cat doing." The job of our dog-walker, Mary Ann, is to "walk Walty," while that of Mario, one of our house-cleaners, is to "clean Isaac house."

The other day I asked, "What's Isaac's job?"

He had answers at the ready, no prompting required. "Play with loader in living room," he said, "and talk to Mama." After a moment's consideration, he offered up a favorite topic of conversation: "And talk about the fair."

Then I wondered about my own role, so I asked, "What's Mama's job?" Isaac wasn't sure, so I gave him some ideas. "My most important job is to take care of Isaac," I said, "and I also work at the library picking out the books."

A day or two later I asked him the same question, and he remembered part of the answer. "Take care of Isaac," he said confidently, "and drive station wagon."

It could be worse. At dinner that night I asked Isaac again, hoping to amuse Craig, and Isaac once again said, "Take care of Isaac."

"And what's Mama's other job?" I asked.

Isaac looked around the dining table at our dirty dishes, and said, "And clean the kitchen."