Alligators. Crocodiles. Baboons. Iguanas.

Every weekday morning, Henry and I get in the car, drive to his school and walk down the hill to his playground.  I wait with him until 9:20 and then walk with his classmates to the classroom and wave goodbye.  Without fail, our last bit of morning conversation sounds like this:

Henry: See you later alligator.
Me: After while crocodile.
Henry: Not too soon baboon.
Me:  In the manana iguana.

And then I leave.  And I'm happy.

This morning, I had an early work call to take - so I could only walk him down the hill...didn't have time to wait until the bell rang.  We said quick goodbyes and he ran off with his friends. 

I turned around and started to walk back up the damn hill and he yells my name.  Mom. Comes running as fast as he can across the playground, panting.  And starts our ritual.  See you later alligator...

Gives me a kiss and then runs back to his friends.

Apparently it makes us both happy. 

And that 30 seconds is enough to completely make my day.  Particularly because he still looks like this to me in my mind.

The baboon.