What are your intentions, young man?

This morning, while Diana took her first nap, Amelia and I worked in the backyard. As I was trimming the olive tree (making it look a bit more like an actual tree) our friendly neighborhood cat came by. Amelia couldn't stop talking about it and asked me repeatedly, "Can you pet the cat?" I pet the cat for a while, but I never forget that this cat can be ornery and has bitten Amelia in the past. Amelia also suggested I feed the cat. I replied, "If I feed the cat he'll come by every day asking for food."

Funny how you never heed your own advice.

Amelia's friend came by again this afternoon. (I don't want to give his real name, so let's just call him, "Jim.") I'm glad he comes by and I'm glad Amelia turns off the DVD player for a bit and goes outside, but I sometimes feel like there should be some small reimbursement for supervising and feeding a neighbor's son. Today Jim told me, "Amelia wants some juice." I asked Amelia if she did, indeed, want juice and she shook her head, "No."

I told the boy that he could have juice, even if Amelia didn't want any. He told me that what he actually wanted was chocolate milk (of course). I asked if soy was okay and he said that was fine.

So, he followed me into the house and I gave him a small paper cup with chocolate soy milk in it. He drank this and a second cup and then told me, "I think you should cut open that second watermelon." I guess he did some recon of my kitchen while inside.

I cut into the watermelon and gave both Amelia and Jim a slice. Jim finished his quickly and asked for a second slice. I asked him if his mom would think it was okay for him to eat watermelon and he said, "She doesn't like me eating during the day...Can I have that last slice of watermelon?"

He's a funny kid. All of us then proceeded to the park across the street. While there I told Amelia, "We have to go home soon so you can eat dinner." Jim asked if he could come over and have dinner, too. I said, "All she's having is leftovers from Texas Roadhouse, and there isn't much left." He stood silent for a moment then said, "I don't know what that is, but I'm hecka hungry."

I would say that Jim followed us home expecting to be fed dinner, but he actually led the way - opening the door for us. It wasn't easy to find a tactful way to say, "Go home, kid - no free meal today." Finally I told Amelia to say good-bye as we were washing our hands for supper. He still didn't get it right away, but he did leave...With a glass of chocolate soy milk to go.

I think we're reaching a point where I'll have to tell his parents that he's eating over here. I want to make sure it's okay with her and that she knows the strange woman who has her son in her house.

I guess this is what happens when you're a stay-at-home mom. This could get expensive if he's still coming over as a teenager.

Lisa