This morning, the boy refused to answer to any name but ‘Artoo’, and communicated only in whistles and beeps. It was frustrating, but also adorably geeky. And I do freely admit that I bear significant responsibility for his Star Wars obsession.

When he came home, he nearly broke my heart.

MAMA: Hey, how was school today? Did you have fun?

SPARKY: [dejectedly] No. Artoo did not have fun at all today.

MAMA: You didn’t? Why not?

SPARKY: [genuinely disconsolate] Because Princess Leia wasn’t there to put the secret plans in Artoo on the ship.

MAMA: Oh!

DADA: You know who —

MAMA: Yes, I know who Princess Leia is. [His very best friend at school has gone away on a week-long vacation, to a place where there is a zoo. She gave him an early Valentine because she was going to miss their party. They’re inseparable, and I know this week is going to be very hard for him.]

SPARKY: Princess Leia has to put the plans in Artoo, but she wasn’t there, and Artoo was very sad. Mama, will you be Princess Leia?

There’s nothing like not having your best friend there to play Star Wars with you when you need her to. I don’t know if his friend is even familiar with Star Wars, but I’m sure the boy’s enthusiastic explanation would have been both inspiring and entertaining.

And yes, I played Princess Leia for him. And then Threepio, coming along and asking “Secret mission? What plans?”, which amused him to no end.