more things I never thought I’d say

Let me start off with this:  raising 2 same aged boys (virtual twins) together is VASTLY different than raising 1 boy and 3 girls together—even if they are close together age wise.  They are tons of fun, but occasionally I wonder if we shouldn’t have just adopted more girls.  I KNOW the answer to that (it’s NO!) but once in a great while I’d prefer pink and frills to the things that come with boys…

Yesterday we went shopping for Brent’s birthday.  Turns out that the big winners were Ryan and Logan.  We didn’t find anything for Brent, but they ended up with some new spring/summer clothes.  In addition to the ‘normal’ things I kept repeating (“Yes, we’re almost done." and “I know you’re hungry.  I will NOT forget to feed you.  We will eat soon.”) I think I said 3 times at least, “Please get up.  You do NOT belong on the floor under that display!”, something I have never had to say before.  Also, “Please do not touch the mannequins.  They are not there for your hands!”.  Never said that before either.  After shopping, we stopped by the house then had to run Ryan to basketball practice.

It went downhill from there.  In the car on the way to practice, I had to say to them “You may NOT to throw basketballs inside the car!”  What the heck??  After muttering under my breath for a moment, I glanced in the rearview mirror just in time to see one boy try something else, and I nearly lost it as I said, “NO!  You are NOT to bounce balls off your brother’s head instead.  That is also TOTALLY unacceptable.”

It’s a doggone good thing that they are delightful and cute and fun and loved and wanted, because yesterday I definitely wondered if I was really cut out for this. Fortunately, an evening of fun and laughter, followed by a decent-for-here night’s sleep means I’m ready to tackle what they dish out today…with a smile on my face and gratitude in my heart.   I hope.  :)