In order to feed my son's thirst for all things military, we took him and his friend to Fort Point. They've recently opened the roof top and it's one of the best views in San Francisco, if not the world.
I can't wait until Jake is done with his military phase. Guns, battles, soldiers, medic! I used to worry about his love of war but realized after much soul searching and reading that it's really just his little brain rallying around the sense of good and evil. Afterall, what's wrong with fighting Nazis? And when at the Fort Point gift shop I was proud that he wanted the Union hat, not the Confederate hat because "the confederates wanted slavery and that's bad." He's also told me he would never go to the dark side, no matter which darth held a red light saber to his throat. That's my boy.
The day was beautiful, a clear, sunny, breezy, crisp, late winter day. Everyone was out, flying kites, walking, riding their bikes, throwing balls, frisbees and having picnics. Fisherman's Wharf was as full as I'd ever seen it, tourists, families and young lovers holding hands. The Bush Man was out-why is it so funny seeing people getting scared? The louder they scream, the louder we laugh...
We dined at Fog City Diner where Jake finally lost his front "snaggle tooth." While relieved I didn't have to watch him constantly pushing it back and forwards with his tongue, hanging on by a thread (ew) I was saddened. Losing a front baby tooth means the adult tooth will be in soon and man does that make children look older. Another shred of babyhood gone. I felt like crying. While each phase of my son's life is fascinating, rewarding, adorable and joyous, I think I will always mourn the baby years. One day he won't suck his thumb anymore as he cuddles up to me and rubbing my elbow. Or come up to me, put his litte arms around my waist and say, ma-ma, I love you. Now, that is the day I will cry.
On the way home, Ron cracked the boys up by talking potty and making fun of people on the sidewalk. I rolled my eyes with a smile. I'm used to this though. Being raised with brothers and no sister, the boy world is all too familiar to me. Thank God for my step-daughter Monica and my niece Colleen where the girl can come out.
Ok, time to play tennis. The fog has cleared and it's another beautiful day. Jake will turn it into a competition, he's getting to where he can hit the ball over the net a few times to actually make a small rally. We have to pick sides, which team are you? Sometimes I say, let's just play but other times I say, " you be the United States and I'll be Australia" and I let him rip with the commentary. If he was a girl he'd probably comment on my color choice of my sox. Either way, we're out, we're playing, we're living, learning and enjoying every second we possibly can. Because after all, that's the point.
