so i do believe when simple board games lead to physical blows...it is time for your children to go the hell back to school. yesterday morning i went for a jog around the ole neighborhood and came home to two kids crying. my husband was upstairs seemingly oblivious to what was going on. however, in his defense, he is in tune by now to the different types of crying. such as (but not limited to)...true pain, hurt feelings, whining, attention seeking (he was clearly ignoring them, for good reason). so, i walked in the room and said, "what is going on." (it was more of a statement then a question, my urgency for these types of things has long set sail with the earning of my masters in motherhood.) my second born looked up through her tears and said, "well we were playing the game 'sorry!' and she (pointing at first born)...KICKED ME IN THE HIP!" first of all, who kicks other people in the hips? so i said out loud, "WHO KICKS OTHER PEOPLE IN THE HIP?! i mean...a swift kick to the shin, a punch to the nose, a poke in the eye even...but the hip?
my first born looked up through her (fake) tears and said, "i ACCIDENTALLY kicked her in the HIP because she READ MY CARD when it was MY TURN!" i took a breath and retorted, "i have never in my entire life ACCIDENTALLY kicked someone in the HIP! not even my own brother! how does that even happen?!" up until this point there were straight (sad) faces all around, and then ella burst out laughing like a hyena, her sister followed...then i couldn't get myself together. but seriously, back when i was writing about burp cloths and binkies, i didn't think i would have to mediate a fight over a game of sorry! and a kick to the hip. i looked at both of them after the laughter and said, "you two need to go back to school, or i'm going to lose it." the little one then yelled again, "BUT SHE KICKED ME IN THE HIP!" (i can't.) i walked away shaking my head and hoping their 2nd and 4th grade teachers are ready to return to school. i also hope these aforementioned teachers have a doctorate in making snacks...cause that's what i did most of the summer. furthermore, this morning my second born got nose to nose with me (while i was sleeping) and whispered "what are we doing today?" i almost kicked her in the hip. (instead, we went swimming.)
each summer i take in the good, bad, and the ugly when it comes to being home with my kids, and heading back to school is always bittersweet for all of us. i read an article (i think sent to me by my dad) stressing how we only have 18 summers with our children. i'm already 9 years deep with one kid and 7 years deep with the other. i don't know how that happened. when i was elbows deep in dirty diapers and sleepless nights, i didn't realize that easier times would be RIGHT around the corner. when people told me that exact thing when i had newborns, i honestly wanted to throat punch them. alas, it's true. my kids just returned from what i called "grandparentpalooza" last week with my in-laws and are getting ready for another week of fun with my parents next week. many of my friends, and my own brother, are just getting into the baby game while i'm enjoying more "free time" then i've had in years. (not gonna lie, it's kind of glorious.) i received a text message from my father last night to "send games" with the kids for next week. i replied, "board games?" he said yes. remember that time he bought my 3 year old a drum set for her birthday? well...in retribution, i'm sending "sorry!" fingers crossed for at least one hip kick.
