coconut- curry cauliflower soup
Interview with Nikolas ( age 8)
I think a lot about being the mom of a little boy. I've learned to wiggle my way into his little life by throwing myself in hour-long Lego-building projects. By saying yes when he wants to kick the soccer ball around in the middle of our busy, bustling kitchen. By immersing myself in books about Clone Wars when I really just want to snuggle in and read The Little Prince. By committing whole-heartedly to the little boy he is and to the young man he's becoming. I want to be a part of his adventures and that means accepting Spiderman sneakers when I really wish he'd want a cool pair of hipster high tops. Trying desperately to plunge into monster trucks and ice hockey and games of wrestling when some days, I wish he'd like to sit and just talk. But the truth is, Nikolas has brought so much joy into our lives. So much beauty and wonder and amazement. A different perspective on absolutely everything.
I loved interviewing him for this little project. I loved how thoughtful and intentional his answers were. How much he paid attention to what I was really asking and tried, with utmost effort, to answer my questions honestly and purposefully. I loved the way he gripped his hands together from time-to-time. The way he gazed into my eyes with intensity and seriousness and then, in the next moment, giggled and blushed unapologetically. This is the eight year old I want to remember. This spunky, self-assured, "plays by- all- the- rules" little boy who has a whirling sense of humor. Mesmerizing chocolaty eyes. He's contemplative and pragmatic and is governed by logic and reason. A perfectly imperfect little boy with a heart so beautiful and pure and golden to the core, the very thought of him makes me recite a silent prayer of gratitude.
So, happy birthday my dear Nikolas. I'm so glad you're mine.
I’m going to make a special birthday dinner for you. What would you like?
Baked wild salmon with roasted sweet potatoes and carrots. Caesar salad too but I want the bottled dressing. I like it better than yours. Sorry mom.
( Uh. Thanks.)
Wild salmon? Do know the difference?
Wild salmon has skin on it. That’s how I know it’s wild.
( Laughed a little at this one.)
What is your favorite sport?
Soccer and hockey. But you want me to pick one. Soccer then.
( I bet it's actually tied.)
Favorite book?
The Invisible Boy
( Such a great story.)
Favorite song?
Papa Americano
( He's going to be one of those kids who dances on the speakers someday. I'm sure of it.)
Favorite ice cream?
Chocolate but not MINT chocolate. I hate mint.
( This is true. He hates toothpaste and candy canes too.)
What do love most about your sister?
( He shuffled and smiled and shrugged. And when I said I'd move onto the next question he blurted out..)
My favorite thing about her is that she always includes me in games. Like when Katie comes over and they’re doing a musical. She always finds a job for me. A superhero or a dragon.
(Totally teared up on this one.)
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A Lego Engineer!
What is that?
Someone that creates new Lego Star Wars characters. And new space ships and new stories.
( He lives and breaths Lego Star Wars so this is bound to come true.)
If you were stranded on a dessert island, what 3 things would you want to have with you?
- A boat
- A life jacket
- Food
( Practical. What did I tell you?)
Number one bedtime snack?
Vector cereal. We don’t always have that so….rice krispies is my second choice.
(He’s forgetting his constant pleas for purple popsicles.)
Do you want to get married someday? Do you want children?
Married? Probably. Yes I think! Yes I do. I want four kids like yiayia had. 2 boys and 2 girls. Jack. James. Olivia and Julia.
( He is so nurturing and loving and gentle. He'd be a great little dad.)
What is one word you would use to describe yourself?
ONE word? One word is hard. Happy.
( He is. He's such a happy, sweet little boy.)
Why do you like being a kid?
Kids have more fun than grown ups I think. They don’t have to work so there's more time to play.
(Trying not to read into this one. Trying not to think he’s saying we don’t have enough fun around here.)
What country do you want to visit the most?
Sweden because I love the flag!
(And I love Swedish design Niko so this will work out PERFECTLY.)
What are you most afraid of?
Spiders. Daddy Long Legs. Tarantulas.
(Indeed. We have a special anti -spider spray that we use -really, it's Meyers Lavender Shower Spray and an anti-spider serum we put on the soles of our feet at night -really, a 5 ml sample of Avon night cream. Whatever. It. Takes.)
How tall do you think you are?
Super tall. Like, 8.5 feet maybe. Somewhere around there.
( 53 inches more like it.)
What is your most favorite place on earth?
The cottage. Because we have a beach and we can collect sea glass and search for hermit crabs and play washer toss and swim. And the water isn’t always deep so it’s easy for me. I’m not a very good swimmer.
(This is the very reason we built this place. )
Where do you want to live when you grow up?
Maybe Paris. Or Maine.
(He probably noticed I looked a bit sad...)
I can’t live with you forever mom. But when you’re a little old lady, you can live with ME.
( It's a deal my boy.)
nicholetta
Reader Comments (2)
Aw, Nic, this is SO beautiful. This post found an especially warm little place in my heart as I expect my little boy in a couple short months. I've had lots of thoughts about how to raise a boy, how to relate to a boy - especially when I have such a close connection with my daughter that I am convinced is rooted deeply in sharing the feminine. Reading this eases my worries.
JESS! I can't wait to hear about the arrival of your little man! You're going to love every single second. Boys are such a joy! xoxoxo