Last night the boys and I followed Stephen home from the Double D Ranch. We kept a similar pace for quite awhile before Stephen took off in front of us. The boys wanted me to catch up, but I refused because I don’t like to speed (I know, I am a totally lame rule follower). This lead to a whole conversation about speeding tickets and getting pulled over.

They began recounting the story of when Grandma got pulled over coming home from California. I asked if the police officer was nice or if he said hello. Yeah, he was nice but what Wyatt remembers most was his gun. It was small, not big and it was on his belt. So then I ask if police officers need or should carry guns. Yes, says Henry, to catch bad guys.

And do you know who else carries a gun? Soldiers! Apparently, a boy in their class knows all about soldiers because his father is a soldier. And here is what the boys now know about this particular soldier:

• He has a gun


• He lives in a different city


• He always wins and never gets hurt


• He is fighting with his friends


• His friends die but he doesn’t, he never get hurts


• He is fighting a war


• His son keeps his father’s photo in his school cubby

 

I ask if the boys know why this soldier is fighting a war. They don’t. I ask what they think about war. Wyatt thinks it’s cool. Henry thinks it sounds dangerous. I think war is sad and I list the reasons why. Henry adds that he would be sad if his father fought in a war or even died. I ask Wyatt if any of the things I said about war make him sad. No…no.

Humph...big sigh of defeat. Oh well, I am sure we'll talk about it again.

 

PS: I just found tape on my scarf!