Neils is usually eager to agree to the suggestion of getting a brother or sister. However, a couple of nights ago we asked him if he wanted a brother.

He said, “No brother.” A little taken back, we asked again, but he replied, “No, no brother.”

“Do you want a sister?” we tried.

“No sister.”

“You don’t want any brothers or sisters?”

“No.”

This seemed a bit strange to me, so I pressed further. “Should we keep Neils?”

“No Neils,” he said with a little bit of a smile.

“How about Big Dog?”

“No Big Dog?”

And so it continued with Mom, Dad, and perhaps a couple things more.

Funny boy

Neils has always liked to sit in the front seat of the car, especially the driver’s side and play with the steering wheel and controls. It’s also not rare for him to cry when we remove him to the back seat. However, today on the way home from picking me up from school was extremely memorable.

As Melissa and I were talking in the front seats we heard Neils say, “Neils try? Neils try?”

“Neils try what?” Melissa asked, but Neils kept asking, “Neils try? Try?”

“What do you want to try?”

(pause for Neils to think a bit)

“Driving. Neils driving?” He then spent the next three minutes trying to convince us that he should. When we said that he couldn’t drive, he asked for the keys. Then he suggested that he get them when we stop. We told him that he was too short, but he retorted by saying he could use a pillow.

The language was limited, but the meaning and understanding were there.

Finally he stopped asking and is currently here at home driving his train along a play road.

I know that all kids love and like their parents, but sometimes we wonder. Especially with me being at school so much and being less moved by tears than Melissa, Neils clearly prefers her over me for comfort and to put him to bed.

However, I’ve been trying to play with him a little more and do more things with him.

Last night Melissa had Enrichment Night and took Neils to the nursery there so I could work on a project due today. When they came back, she told me that as soon as they got out the door Neils said, “Dad? Home?” and looked a bit concerned. Then when she was done and picked him up from the nursery he kept on earnestly saying, “Dad. Home. Dad. Home.”

It’s always nice to know that he loves me and likes to spend time with me.