All Arminda

I wrote Clark a lengthy chalk note Sunday morning. I had to leave town for a few days, but wanted to be sure I shared a few powdery words of affection and a plea for a play-date in our near future. Wednesday morning I received a very important email from my three-year-old heartthrob. I later learned he typed it all by himself on his dad’s phone. His mom told me that Clark did his best to rewrite my chalk note after the rain washed it away, but he couldn’t salvage the entire message.

Thursday morning I walked to Clark’s house with an invitation for him to join me for lunch on Friday. My invitation was readily accepted with a big hug and Friday couldn’t arrive soon enough.

First things first, we decided to make silly faces together, and these are our favorites, in order of Clark’s preference.

Eating was definitely part of our plans, and so Clark wanted to know if I had applesauce for him. Of course! Because, he told me, he recently had some applesauce from the store that he didn’t like because it was too sweet, but he likes my applesauce. Done. Leftovers served up from last night’s meal of Summer Seitan Saute were immediately analyzed and it was decided that Clark did not want a tortilla, just the stuff (rice and saute) on his plate, but no tomatoes because “I don’t like them so much, Mimi, but you can eat them because they are good for you!”

What’s That Squeaky Sound? from arminda@allarminda.com on Vimeo.

Every thirty seconds, or so, Clark put down his fork, looked at me, and said, “Do you want me to make that silly noise again?” and then he would reach for the noise maker I bought for him and give it a shake and giggle and laugh, put it back down and take another bite before going through the entire process one more time. My favorite part of the video? The random announcement of the three caterpillars seen earlier.

We ran upstairs to L’s room, picked a book off her shelf, climbed into her Papasan chair, where Clark skooched over to make room for me, and read our book together. We rolled around on the big exercise ball that is as tall as Clark. We talked to Razor. We played the piano. We practiced our hula hooping skills. We spent time in the rocking chair. We put on some cool tattoos from Tattly. Then I walked him home, new noisemaker in-hand and fancy cupcake tattoo on his wrist; we gave each other a smooch goodbye, and my heart was full of Clark.