A daily tradition

The boys love 5 p.m. Every night Mike calls on his way home from work. If we are inside, Nick waits for that call and jumps everytime the phone rings. He gets very peeved when a telemarketer calls at 4:55 -- then again, so do I. When Mike calls I usually talk for a minute, make sure everything is kosher and either let him know dinner is started or to pick something up (I hate cooking), then Nick steals the phone and talks to Mike until he pulls in the driveway.

The conversation usually goes something like this:

Nick: Whatcha doin?

Mike: Driving home.

Nick: Can we go out to dinner?

Mike: No.

Nick: But, it makes me sad to eat at home.

Mike: Not tonight.

(Lather, rinse, repeat at least three times).

Then--

Nick: Whatcha doin?

Mike: Driving home.

Nick: Oh.

Last night was especially bad because Nick knew that after dad came home, we were going to eat dinner and go to Kindermusik. It was all he could talk about all day. So, when Mike called he was especially anxious for Mike to get home.

And now, Zander is joining in on the fun. He loves the phone and gets peeved everytime Nick gets to talk and he doesn't. There are usually temper tantrums and tears involved.

And yes, Nick is talkig on the phone. For some reason he won't talk unless it is on speaker. He talks into regular phones like they are walkie talkies, but cell phones still go up to his ear, even on speaker. Zander learned from watching Nick. It's quite funny on a cell phone because he also seems to think that the person on the other end can see what he is doing.