"When I Grow Up"

This idea was banidied about among the kids in the car on the way home from Wal-Mart just a few minutes ago.

Chase (who believes steadfastly that he already is as grown-up as he'll ever be, -verbally refusing, even, to accept that he's only two - joins in the conversation only because it's what the other kids are saying): "One day, when I grow up, I'm going to play soccer. And one day, when I grow up, I'm going to be a cowboy."

Ryan: "When I grow up, I'm going to be an astronaut and walk on Mars." "You can't do that!" Drew protests vigorously. "No one can land on Mars." They all want my opinion about whether this will be possible. I say maybe and insist we move on.

Drew: "When I grow up, I'm going to be a pilot in the Air Force." ("Or maybe be in the Army. Or the Navy. Or the Marines" - depending on what day you ask him. I think anything with guns, fast-moving machines, and a surplus of tough masculinity will do.)

Aimee: "Oh, I don't know. I think an author. And a lawyer. Is it possible to do both?" I tell her yes, that's definitely possible. Then to Drew she adds, with older sister superiority, "Speaking of being a lawyer, I'll probably have to be yours because of all the trouble you're going to get into when you grow up."