Too Many Questions

My son is three.  That’s really all you need to know to understand the following post, but allow me to set the scene a bit.  Coming home from dinner last night, I decided to indulge Cael and try to “find a train”.  In Mt. Vernon, there’s virtually no “finding” involved.  Simply position yourself north of town, and watch out so you don’t get ramrodded by the umpteenth train to pass through town each day.

I pulled over into a parking lot near a park and baseball diamond so we could wait for said train.  Little did I know we would not see a train, but my kids would become completely enthralled with the baseball game taking place not far away.  With each pitch, swing, catch, run, or movement from anyone in the diamond, Graham let out a big “WHOA”!  (Need an example?  Check out Graham hunting for Easter eggs here.  Make sure you catch Cael stealing eggs out of Graham’s basket.)

Cael was unusually quiet.  Uh-oh.  My brain tells me that one of three things is about to happen:  naughtiness of some form, toots, or a barrage of questions.  As he began talking, I mentally filled in the “C” circle on my imaginary Scantron…

“Mommy, what are those kids doing?”

“Playing baseball, Cael.”

“Why are they playing baseball?”

“Because they think it’s fun.”

“Why do they think it’s fun?”

“Because they like sports.”

“What are sports?

“You know what sports are.  They are games, like football, baseball, basketball, soccer.  You like sports.”

“Why do I like sports?”

(It’s at this point that I would normally employ some sort of conversation ending statement like “Because I said so” or “That’s just how it is”, but I was feeling unusually patient, so I let it go.)

“Because you like to run and play.”

“Why do I play?”

“Because playing helps you learn, and you get to use your imagination.”

“What’s an imachinshun?”

“I-m-a-g-i-n-a-t-i-o-n, Cael.  Like pretending.”

“Why is imachinashun light pretending?”

“You misheard me.  Using your imagination is the same as pretending.”

“Why did I mishear you?”

“I don’t know, but I think you understand it now.”

“Do I understand it now?”

“I don’t know… do you?”

(Anyone hear “Who’s on First” playing in the distance?)

“Yes, I do.  But Mommy, what are those kids doing?”

“Playing baseball, Cael!  Holy cow!”

“Too many questions, Mommy?” 

“Mommy?”

 “Yes, Cael.  Too many questions.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Why too many questions, Mommy?”

……..