When I grow up

We've had a few of these conversations with William lately. The subject has come up unprompted by me as a routine part of conversation.

Today William and I were in the kitchen together making a dessert for when we have company this weekend (side note: aren't I organized? why yes, I am smug!). William was helping me when he stopped and said:

William: When I grow up, I want to be an ice cream making man.

Mama: Oh?

William: Yes, I will make lots of kinds of ice cream in my factory.

Mama: Really?

William: Will you buy me some ice cream man clothes?

Mama: Will you share your ice cream with me and Daddy?

William: Can I have some ice cream man clothes now?

And then, somehow the conversation was over....

A few weeks ago, I was putting clothes away in the closet when William came to investigate.

William: When I grow up, I want to write a book.

Mama (swelling with motherly pride): You do? That is WONDERFUL!

William: I do!
Mama: What will it be about?
William: I will write a book about dinosaurs. I love dinosaurs.

Mama: Wow, that sounds like a great idea.

William: I think I will write about the scary dinosaurs. They are the best ones. The scary ones are my favorite.

Mama: Which ones are the scary ones (weren't they all scary?)?

William: T-Rex. He is the scariest one. He is the one I want to write a book about.

Mama: He was pretty scary.

William: Maybe I will be scared making a book T-Rex. Maybe I will just draw the pictures. Uncle Jeff will write the words.

Mama: That sounds like a great plan!
William: Can we call Jeff right now and tell him to start writing the book?
Mama: Uncle Jeff is at work right now...

William:.........................distracted by a forgotten race car under the bed.