A Car Ride with RJ

My little buddy...proudly holding Harley's live dinner...

Today I picked up the little ones from school. From the moment they got into the car, I knew it was going to be an adventure. The current car movie is Lion King - which is a favorite of my little animal loving boy. The kids settle in, sing along, cover their eyes, gasp...and go through all of their usual Lion King reactions. And then this happened: 

RJ suddenly blurts out with "Mommy? Did you know that worms are full of protein?" 

Me: Well, yes, buddy, they are pretty full of protein. Where did you hear that?

RJ: On Wildman. His buddy eats a worm and Wildman tells everyone that worms are really full of protein and good for you.

Me:  Slimy, yet satisfying! 

(RJ chuckles)

RJ: Hey Mom? Did you know that your body needs protein to grow? That's what makes all of your muscles work and grow stronger

Me: Also true, buddy. Where did you learn that?

RJ: I asked my teachers about protein, since Wildman talked about it like it was a good thing.

Well done, my boy. Well done.

I drive further down the road, now on my way to pick up Rosie, and RJ comes up with another one:

RJ: Hey Mom? Do you know why giraffes are brown with spots?

Me: I think I do...do you know why giraffes are brown with spots?

RJ: Giraffes are brown with spots to keep them safe from the animals, like lions, that hunt them in the wild. Their color makes them blend in. 

Me: Very true dude.

RJ: I love giraffes. Zebras are cool too

Now we have picked up Rosie, and RJ is holding the bag with the live crickets (for Spotty) and the live & frozen rats (for Harley) and I am silently praying that all of the living critters stay safely within their respective bags and we don't end up on the side of 695 chasing a small white rat around Frank the Tank. We finally are in the home stretch and I have replayed the "they call me Mr.Pig" part of the movie four times when this happens:

RJ: Mom? I really wish we could have a lion like Scar.

Me: Like Scar?! You want a lion like Scar?

RJ: Yeah, Mom. (Duh) We could take care of him and love him because no one else does.

Me: Awe, buddy. That is really sweet.

RJ: And I like he scar. It is really cute. (pronounced cooot.)