An Alien Ate You?

Al·ien·ate (ly-nt, l--):   1. To cause to become unfriendly or hostile; estrange: alienate a friend; alienate potential supporters by taking extreme positions. See Synonyms at estrange. 2. To cause to become withdrawn or unresponsive; isolate or dissociate emotionally.  3. To cause to be transferred; turn away: "He succeeded . . . in alienating the affections of my only ward" (Oscar Wilde). 4. Law To transfer (property or a right) to the ownership of another, especially by an act of the owner rather than by inheritance.

This is what alienate means to an adult, but to my almost four year old it means something else.  My darling boy was listening, intently apparently, to a conversation with his father about my feeling alienated.  He promptly asked me why "did an alien ate you?"

My Little Munchkin Is Growing Up

And before I know it he will move out and I will only hear from him once a month.  He dresses himself now and drinks out of  "big boy cups."  He is done with diapers and naps.  Ethan promised me he would never move out, but the oldest, Jace, promised that too.  Today he told me he wants to be a taxi driver when he grows up.  Of course this is only because he saw a bright green prius and asked me what it was and I told him a Taxi driver (because it was).  A month ago he wanted to be a doctor.  Right now he loves shooting his nerf guns, collecting rocks, leaves and any other bizarre little item that strikes his fancy and will fit in his pocket.  His current favorite song is Cee Lo's "Forget You."  He bobs his head from side to side and sings "ooohhh oooh."  Sadly, he does not like heavy metal.  I am forced to listen to pop music when we are together. 

A friend told me today even when my munchkin drives me nuts I should not wish the time away because before I know it he will be grown up (and I do know this all too well), move out and move on wtih his life and I will miss the days of my clingy needy little three year old boy.  I already do.