Grown up-ness.

Thursday past Turner and I are on the way home from his school (we had childcare hassle last week, so T got some quality time at his school with all his old friends and, of course, Ms. Carolyn). He is tired and did not get a nap. He rarely gets one now, but it makes such a huge difference when he does. Sometimes he is the funny, sleepy boy telling long and winding tales and finding all kinds of ways to keep his eyes open and his brain working. The other days, no nap equals constant confrontation and whinny. Thankfully, Thursday was a long and winding tale day. We are about to go to the bug place on Speedway (which comes before McDonald's and the obligatory "I sure do wish we could go to that place someday.") The radio is not on, and I am lost in the ongoing to do list in my head. I stop at the light, jot a few notes down and as the light turns green Turner says, "You know mom. I am thinking a lot about the government."
"Oh yeah. And what are you thinking?"
"I don't know. I was just thinking that we need to do something. We should try to talk about it and explain to other people that they should talk about it. Then we will all understand."
"Understand what?"
"About the government."
"Like, how the government is made up?"
"No, what it looks like. You know, is it tall like me or is it loud? What do you want to know about the government?"
"Oh, all kinds of things. Mostly how can we deter corruption?"
He is quiet. I can see his lips moving in the mirror as he tries out this new word. "Well, Kerupshun is a really tricky part. That's good for you. You figure that out. I'll think about how the government looks. You know," he pauses. Tired. He tilts his head a bit to one side then closes an eye. Tilts to the other side. We pull into our parking spot. "I guess I'll just have to consider all these important things another time."
"Why? Are you too tired now?"
"No." He unbuckles. Gets out of the backseat. He grabs my hand (which he never does when we are walking in from the car) and looks in my face. "You know Mom. I think I'm pretty smart so I don't have to think on all these things today. The government is a big thing I think. I can deal with it tomorrow."