Ice Cream Man of My Dreams

During my recent trip to the supermarket, Alex insisted on carrying a basket and choosing items he wanted. He headed straight for the frozen food aisle, looking for his 'bars'. Those would be Good Humor's Chocolate Eclair bars, the first of which he ever had when I bought two from the Good Humor ice cream truck in the neighborhood.

Now, Alex's summer has become about an intense search for the Ice Cream truck. If he should hear a slight sound that MIGHT be the chiming 'Music Box Dancer' song that the truck plays, he dashes to the window to see it.

Yesterday, I'd offered an ice cream bar from the freezer because he'd been so brave in the Applebee's bathroom. His first time trying a public potty! He enjoyed the ice cream, but he soon started to cry while having it.

'It's not from the ice cream truck!' he sobbed. I mean - for real - sobbing. That led to a promise that we would get ice cream from the ice cream truck. I flagged the guy down when we heard him, got Alex dressed and bought us each a fudge and banana ice pop. No good either. He wanted a RAINBOW ice pop.

So, today, while he was stark naked, the chimes were heard. The strains of 'Music Box Dancer' called him to the window. Daddy was home and I had him dress Alex so that we could go to the truck I'd flagged down. It took a while. You see, Alex will not go out unless he is completely dressed - shoes and all.

I went out to the truck to explain. Soon enough, Daddy emerged with Alex and he got his Rainbow Ice Pop. Like the fudgescicle before it, it proved to be too big for Alex. It's now in the freezer being kept for a later time.  And I'm betting that it will be forgotten in favor of a new ice cream bar bought from the poor ice cream man waiting for Alex to dress once again tomorrow.

Dan told me that while he was dressing him, Alex told him "I love the ice cream truck. I love the ice cream man."

At least he now knows he's loved while I make him wait.

Saturday, August 14