Best Laid Plans

So, months ago, I began thinking about summer. We decided we wanted Kai to go to summer camp a couple mornings a week. The plan was that I would work during this time and my mom (the best babysitter around) would hang out with Ruby June.

As you know, nothing is cheap. But, we were fine writing the check out knowing that Kai would absolutely love it. There were farm animals to feed, hikes to be walked, and many new friends to meet. In fact, we were convinced that Kai would like this new summer program so much that he wouldn't want to go back to his Montessori school.

Oh, how we were wrong. Yes, how the best laid plans go wrong (or the expression goes something like that, right?).

Tomorrow is the last day of the summer camp and he has not wanted to go one single morning. I think he likes the program, but misses his friends from his school year. I have loved getting to know the teachers (all amazing). Plus, the building and the outdoor space (more than 200 acres) is incredible. It is exactly where I would like to go to summer camp as a 3 1/2 year old.

But, he tells me he doesn't like the "work" (Montessori term), hasn't made any friends (coming from the most social boy we know-- just ask all of the people walking by our house who get greetings from him), and would rather stay home with Nonny (this may be the true reason-- his Nonny is just too much fun! Who wouldn't want to hang out with her instead?).

But, still he has gone most Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer. Often there are tears, but we've worked through it. But, I decided to give him a choice for the final day of camp tomorrow. I asked him tonight at bed time if he had made his decision.

I asked a simple question, "Kai, have you decided if you are going to summer camp tomorrow?"

He thought about for awhile and then said, "You know, what I want to do, Mama? I want to drive a big trailer, with a big bulldozer on it. Then, I want to park in the lot in front of summer camp. Then, I'll get in the bulldozer and tear down the entire camp. Then, I'll put the camp in the dump truck. I'll drive the dump truck, which is orange, to the lake. At the lake, a big barge trash container will be there. I will drive the big barge to a big field. Then, I'll dump summer camp out in the field and drive away."

All I said to him was, "I take it that is a no, then?"

Seriously? Seriously.