Chasing A.J.

Earlier in the week I saw that Riley wrote "A.J. is my boyfrend." on the back of a school worksheet. When asked, she told me that she didn't know what the word "boyfriend" means, so I explained that when she is old enough she can start going on dates with boys. Then when she finds one she really likes, he will be called her boyfriend. Then Scot added that a boyfriend is what you have when you're almost ready to get married. Her horrified expression made us both laugh. So she backpedaled a little. A.J. isn't her boyfriend, but she does like playing with him.

When I asked Riley yesterday what the best thing about her day was, her answer wasn't surprising. "Recess." But then she elaborated. "We played Boys Chase Girls (her favorite recess game from kindergarten). I brought it back." It made me laugh because it was like saying, "I brought back slap bracelets. Or Doc Martin boots." When I asked her who else played, she named a few kids and then told me, "I chased A.J. He's by favorite boy in the world." Sorry Blake, I guess you've been replaced.

"Wait," I responded, "if you chased A.J., isn't that Girls Chase Boys?"

"Yeah, but I call it Boys Chase Girls. Then A.J. was helping us chase the boys. He told me, 'Don't worry, I got this.'" So maybe she likes a confident, assertive guy. In an attempt to give her some practical advice, I told her about the time I skinned my knees and put holes in my tights because I was chasing Josh on picture day. The take-away: "Chase boys all you want, because it's fun. But don't do it on the black top." She assured me that they always play Chase on the grass.

Then in two different conversations with other moms at Back To School Night, I found out there are at least two different names for the same game. Moriah's mom told me she calls this game of chase, "Prison Tree." And Duncan told his mom that they played "Three-Day War" at recess. I laughed because, in addition to different names for the same game, these kids are probably all playing with their own version of rules for it too.

But one thing is sure, my boy-crazy girl is probably going to stay that way, for now, anyway.