Off to work

On a topic related to yesterday's post, recently Isaac has been pretending to go to work.

There are two crucial parts to this game. First, he needs to get his bag -- sometimes he slings an old laptop briefcase over his shoulder, or he carries the big canvas bag I use for library books, or he takes my insulated lunch bag out of the pantry. Lately he's been using the zippered plastic shoebox his old Robeez came in, which has a perfect little handle. Then, once he's got that settled, he gets down to the most important part of going to work -- the kiss goodbye.

He marches up to me in a businesslike fashion, clearly deep in the game -- even his gait is different. Then he announces, "Bye-bye honey," and he presents his lips for a kiss. After I kiss him, he promptly turns around and strides across the room. I call after him, "Have a nice day! Drive carefully! See you tonight!" But he usually comes back 20 seconds later for another kiss, and we do it all over again.

For a long time I assumed that Isaac was pretending to be Craig, who goes to work four days a week. But I just realized that Craig goes to work before Isaac even wakes up -- sadly, nobody gives Craig goodbye kisses. Instead, I think Isaac is pretending to be me. I go to work only one day a week, but my leaving is a much more public affair. I usually say goodbye several times before I make it out the door, and I certainly come back for multiple kisses.