Whale tales

There is this very sad moment in parenthood when you realize you can't make all your kids' dreams come true. Like when your kid really loves elephant seals and you think you can take him to Ano Nuevo to see them breeding and then you learn you were supposed to have made reservations months in advance, because apparently wildlife doesn't accept walk-ins anymore in California. Or when you get your kid a ticket on "SF Bay Whale Tours" for Christmas and fail to read the fine print that the thing you bought a ticket for was actually a "wildlife cruise" not a whale-watching cruise, despite the name of the company, and whales are never guaranteed anyway, and moreover, you really should never build something up to your kid that's out of your control. Maybe, though, disappointment builds character. That's what Calvin's dad would've said. Yesterday Danny took Jack to build some character.



I wasn't there, so I can't actually speak to how disappointed he was, but I can see it in the pictures. The hope and anticipation on his face as the boat headed out, and the resignation as they were headed back. Poor guy! Danny said he held it together really well, so I'm proud of him, especially given the rate of tantrums over genuinely stupid things lately. I told him we would show him a whale someday. Even if we have to take him to Sea World.

On the bright side, it was a beautiful day, a nice break from the rain, and looked like a a fun boat ride. So I think they enjoyed themselves. Sadie and I sure did, back home. Our afternoon involved naps and Grey's Anatomy. Go, girl time!