Alex P. Keaton

Today Theo headed toward Fargo with his grandparents for a Martinson family history tour.  Jon has asked his parents to (indoctrinate) introduce his sons to this place where he spent is formative years.  A few years back they took Eli. Theo has the added bonus of going at a time when his fabulous cousin Jordan is a freshman at Concordia, across the river from Fargo.  Theo has been looking forward to this trip for some time.  Most of the excitement seems to be about the opportunity to watch a movie in the minivan during the four hour drive, but he is of course thrilled to be spending time with his grandparents and to be the first Sage-Martinson to visit his cousin at college.

This morning he woke up, took a shower (without prodding) then came downstairs dressed in khaki's, a button-down shirt, tie, and sports coat.  Seriously. Gave me a shy smile and said, "Well, we are going out to eat with Jordan tonight."  At a pizza place.  This is the kid who normally wears sweatpants that are all twisted around and sideways.  Drives me nuts.  Here he was all fancified.  For a four hour van ride, then dinner at a pizzeria with his sweet cousin.  She has promised a campus tour, and Theo has already declared his intent to become a cobber, so I think he's hoping to cut quite an image on campus.  Get people excited about the incoming class of 2024.  2024.  sheesh. 

Babysitting

Yesterday Eli made it through a seven hour RedCross babysitting course.  He came home with a rough draft of a resume, a small clutch of first aid supplies, a guidebook, a dvd, and a quiet new confidence.  He was eager to try out his new skills and luckily it is MEA right now so there are plenty of kids around looking for some sitting.  I signed him up to take care of two six year olds while I worked out with their moms.  I even convinced him to do it for free as part of his 'resume building' experience.  The first thing he asked me this morning upon waking was, "Mom- ok.  When someone cuts themselves it says to apply pressure, then cleanse, then bandage.  But what if the wound is gushing?  Do you still try to cleanse???"  Whatever I answered caused a big groan and was clearly incorrect.  I was not aware it was a quiz. 

As we were getting ready to head to the car I noticed Eli clutching his little baggy of first aid goods, and Theo, who was coming along as a helper, had the RedCross guidebook.  Best to be prepared.  I asked Eli if he wanted a bag to put his gear in, but he thought he was fine. 

On the drive over Theo quickly looked up some 'age-appropriate' activites and then Eli asked for the book in order to get the right answer to his gushing blood questions.  Suddenly he groaned even louder than before and read, "If you see muscle or bone..."  I don't know what you are supposed to do then because I yelled, "That's when you run!  Run away!  Screaming!"  drowning out Eli's more measured response to this (unlikely) scenario.

We pulled up and Eli got out.  He stood looking up at the house, then down to his handful of first aid goods.  He looked over at me sheepishly and said, "Ok, right about now I'm kind of wishing I had put these things in a bag.  Little embarrassing."  But then he sashayed off to the door, goods in hand. 

Everything seemed to go fine.  They played some hide and seek and Eli reportedly spent 20 minutes in Laura's closet.  She was aghast.  He said he kind of borrowed in and thought he was sitting on top of her "seat-saving past"...which means that he was sitting on a pile of fancy ball gowns that Laura has worn to the Emmys and Grammys and such when she has volunteered to be seat-saver to the big names.  Only Laura.

On the way home Eli told me that Theo had been suggesting 'age-appropriate activities' throughout the morning.  At one point he heard Theo ask if the girls wanted to 'create a play using house-hold items'.  Right from the book, baby, that's how my boys play it.

We are eagerly awaiting word if Pete and Jay will allow Eli to babysit their 4 year old.  They are nervous about this, but I think Eli's ready.