Picnic with AJ

Today it was just AJ and I at the Towngate Memorial Park in Moreno Valley. We had a much needed picnic, just the two of us lounging, talking and making each other laugh. AJ is my youngest and at 5 years of age he currently loves me more than anyone else on this planet does. Which is why I wanted today to be just the 2 of us.

I brought a back pack full of goodies. Peanut butter and Jelly, cookies and Kool Aid Singles. I brought the wiffle balls and batting tee plus a surprise stocking stuffer I decided to give him early. Our morning got interesting before we even left the driveway as a neighbor of my Ex asked me to him help jump start his PT Cruiser. We did and the fella gave me a few dollars for helping, which I immediately gave to AJ.

AJ had a few dollars burning a hole in his pocket so he asked me to take him to the dollar store. We ended up going inside Fallas and the dollar store next door. In all my little guy purchased some slime, sticky tape, an oversized pen and a mini dart gun. We literally wasted the money but it is what made him happy... and those smiles are priceless! After that I took him to Winco Grocery Store because I wanted to show him the giant barrels of candy. I told him he could pick out a few and I would treat him if he shared the leftovers with his brother and sister.

Once we got to the park I gave him his stocking stuffer. He is holding it up in the picture I attached to this entry. You cant tell in the pic but there is also a Batman and Wonder woman, inside of the Harley Quinn toy. I knew he would love it after getting familiar with these characters at Six Flags Magic Mountain. This little guy is soooo funny. He bought the sticky tape to put over his mouth. He bought the Oversized pen to show me he learned how to write the word DAD at school. Of course he tried to shoot my eyes out with the dart gun and eventually I showed him how to make a pizza crust with his ball of slime.

AJ was on the playground with other kids. I was listening to radio, making the sandwiches and praying with gratitude for being able to enjoy such a moment. We took some batting practice and just talked for a few minutes. AJ told me how school was going, he said he really likes Kindergarten even thou a lot of the kids are mean. AJ said one boy scratched him with a broken pencil. Then told me one boy created a lie to tell about him. So he said he doesn't want to be friends with them. I couldn't help but tear up a little bit. He is a boy and I do expect him to be strong, tough and learn to absorb the cruelty of this world without letting it destroy him but it really is depressing to see him learning that lesson in his first few month of Kindergarten.

I tried to avoid such a school environment. When My daughter started school I moved my family into the cheapest apartment that was still in range of Riverside best Elementary School. My Son with there too but after my Ex and I separated she moved back to Moreno Valley. So AJ isn't going to the best Elementary School in Riverside, instead he is going to one of the most ghetto school in Moreno Valley. The teachers care less, the academic expectations and curriculum are not as advanced or efficient and it's apparent that the children's behaviors are worse. I knew the diffference between districts, communities, and lifestyle. I wanted better for my children but AJ got short changed because me and his mother seperated. So I promised AJ that he would be back in Riverside for 1st grade.

We had a good day, in fact it was a great day and this is one of the main reasons I created this diary. I don't want to ever forget this day. Now it is documented forever! It was a great memory and the Kodak moment can be reflected on, not only by myself or AJ but also the rest of family as well,... even thou they were not there with us. I love this guy so much and he deserves for his father to be the best he can be. So I'm trying and even thou he knows it now, hopefully this diary will make sure he never forgets it.