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Get To/Have To

When the boys got home from kindergarten around 14:30 Kenzo came up to see me in my office, as he does. He gave me a hug and a kiss (I had to ask) and sat in my lap to see what I was working on, which was just some boring text messages to coworkers.

Osamu skipped saying hi to me and hopped into nap time on his bottom bunk with mama, who was off from her class today. He was not wasting this chance to snuggle with mama in the afternoon.

Kenzo was headed to nap time, too, but he stopped by to tell me, "Papa, we're going somewhere later."

I acted surprised and replied, "Oh really? Where are you going?"

He said mama said it was a secret. Or a surprise. One or the other. Either way, Kenzo didn't have a clue, and that was the point.

I knew where they were going.

After nap time the boys decided to watch Home Alone again. They just discovered it and they cackle with laughter. It is a funny movie. I have a hard time with the fact that it was made over thirty years ago. When I was Kenzo's age A Streetcar Named Desire came out thirty years prior. 

At any rate, they love the scenes where Macaulay Culkin puts after shave on. They howl laughing and like to imitate the scene.


I was upstairs at my desk at about 17:20 when I heard the sounds of the news being broken. I could hear Kenzo sobbing and Osamu cheerfully exclaiming, "We're going to McDonald's!"

Yes, they were going to eventually make it to McDonald's, but first the boys had a 6 p.m. appointment at the dentist. Kenzo was floored by the disappointment. He does not like the dentist, and as I waved Eri and the boys off he was inconsolable in the back seat of the car, lips quivering and all. 

In the end, of course, it worked out. Osamu was the one who had to have some work done. He sat in the dentist chair on his own like a big boy while the doc put some sealant on his back teeth to prevent cavities. Kenzo just had the usual check, a photo, some fluoride, and out.

Eri and I have differing views on informing the boys about events. She prefers to err on the side of not telling them about stuff until it's time to go. I like to mark it all on the calendar and talk about it, whether it's a day at the park or a trip to the pediatrician to get a shot.

Eri's way is probably best. I struggle with it, though. I love looking forward to things I get to do as much as I love worrying about things I have to do.

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