A trip to the zoo

I took the boys to the zoo today. It's totally a boy's dream come true. We went with my brother's family who has 3 boys too, and a little baby my sister-in-law cares for. So, it was eight boys altogether. The cousins play so nicely together. They are very close and enjoy each other's company. My children are older and sometimes "mother" their cousins. My nephews idolize my boys and will copycat their behaviors. They boys' curiosity about animals and identifying with animal adventures were fulfilled. At the zoo, they can climb stairs, jump sidewalks, stand on tip toes to lean over the railings and run! Their excitement of seeing animals that they've read in books rather than seeing them live, is of no comparison.

Boys love the gross stuff at the zoo. They laughed at animal poop, monkeys poking each other's butts, slimy pond water, and bowls of pet food. The hands-on exhibits are definitely their favorites. I took plenty of photos of them petting farm animals and sticking their arms in salt water to pet and feed sting rays and nurse sharks. They were thrilled about holding cut up pieces of fish and sticks of bird seed for the aviary exhibit. Needless to say, they were exposed to tons of germs today. They would have reached in the cotton candy bucket without washing their hands if I didn't catch them before. I was very proud of these little men today. They behaved well, used their manners with adults, took turns helping the younger ones and never asked for food or toys. Finally, Grandma and I rewarded them with a trip to McDonald's. The drive home was even better with times of silence between ice cream licks and sharing stories of their day spent at the zoo.

Going to church

It's Sunday. Time to go to church. Sometimes they like it, other times, they don't. Today was the 7 year old's day NOT to like it. We tentatively planned on taking them to the zoo after church, so my little guy eagerly got dressed without a fuss, and we headed out the door. It was moderately quiet in the car. Somedays we reprimand, threaten and have to referee most of the car ride until arriving in the church parking lot. But today, they were relatively quiet. The oldest gave us grief about our possible plans to the zoo. He flat out refused to go, so he had an attitude before we even got started. After getting to church, we all sat down, and realized that the oldest was missing. He decided to take a detour and get a cup of coffee. He didn't want to join us, so that was his first attempt to hide. After rescuing the lost lamb, we took up nearly half a pew and then the service began. Four of the boys decided to draw pictures and work in activity books to keep quiet and busy. Not that anyone is suppose to be "busy" during church anyways. The oldest decided he was going to be the "parent" for his brothers. Why not? There's nothing better to do, right? Anyways, my little guy, who doesn't' like going, decided he was not going to obey. He slid in his seat, threw tissues down, curled the pages in the hymnal, and asked for gum. When a boy doesn't want to do something, they misbehave!!! My husband and I had to politely correct him throughout the service. And to top it all off, we didn't' go to the zoo, because our church was having a potluck luncheon afterwards. We decided to stay for the free meal, then go grocery shopping and bring uphappy boys home. As the day ended, they played outside and were very good about doing their chores. Gee, why couldn't they have behaved in church instead.

It's my birthday

Today is my birthday! My boys love this day, always have and hopefully, always will. We went out to eat last night at a restaurant where the waiters sing and bring you a dessert. My boys laugh and delight in the public experience. They watch my reaction so carefully. Then, they get out of their seats to plaster my cheeks with kisses. Today, the greeted me with a sleepy "Happy Birthday" wish with their rosey, fresh morning face. Later, I got home made cards, home made necklaces and bracelets they knitted from yarn, and I proudly worn them while shopping with my mother. Though they can't buy me gifts, they will never know how precious their home made presents are until they become parents themselves someday. We ended the evening by enjoying a cake and candles and them singing to me. We blew out the candles together and chowed down! Daddy took a group picture of me and my five fun boys as I turn a year older, a little wiser!

Shopping with boys

So, you think shopping with boys is tough? Nah, just simple. Yeah, I said simple. Boys are simple to shop for. If they don't like the store, then they tell you or misbehave. My boys were messing with each other while I was looking at clothes for the 7 year old. When I asked, "Why are you acting like this?" They replied, "cuz we hate this store and we want to leave." I thought to myself, why don't they just tell me instead of messing with each other. Well, because boys don't talk, they do stuff. Touching IS talking. It's the way they talk. Anyways, the boys were simple to shop for because if they like the shirt or pants, they tell you, yup get it. If they don't like it, they tell you, nope and walk away. Shopping in a store takes just a few minutes. They either like it or they don't. My oldest is the same way. We went straight to the popular teen stores and he walked straight to the jeans he wanted and the shirt he wanted. Boom, it took all of 5 minutes. 10 minutes if you count the dressing room. Speaking of dressing rooms, I usually pile all 5 of them in room dressing room. They sit on the bench and just look at each other in the mirror like it's a game. OK, whatever makes you happy. Sometimes, they will comment on whether the one trying clothes on is wearing floods or not.

We finished our day with a nice dinner at a sit-down restaurant. Every time we go out to eat, (and it's only once or twice per year) the waitress tells us how well behave the boys were. We always hear how large families and especially boys are unruly and difficult patrons, but our boys were great. Once again, we dispel the myths of an all male family. How do we do it? Simple, don't go out often, engage in meaningful conversations and praise them often with detail on what they did right. Most importantly, my husband is an excellent role model of adult male behavior. He sets a good example.

So big, yet, so little

My 7 year old is trying so hard to grow up and keep up with his 4 older brothers. He still has a pillow that he cuddles with yet, he had learned to ride a bike at 4, learned to ski down hill at 5 (hitting the difficult hills), and kicked a soccer ball before he could walk. So, today he tells me to watch him hit ramps and jumps and quarter pipes with his bike. I go outside, admire his new achievements that are as accomplished as a 10 year old. Then, he comes back in the house, cuddles his pillow, and tells me how he wants to go to a skate park and hit jumps. All the while, he is grabbing his private area, wiggling, holding pillow, and wearing a t-shirt that says, "I'm going to tell Daddy." In the other room, the big guy is listening to rap music, chatting on Facebook and working on his literature book for his AP English class. Does that seem odd? I have the youngest and oldest both trying to grow up before their age allows. Moments later, the youngest crawls up onto the big guy's lap and they snuggle for a while, chatting about their biking adventures. I really do love having the huge age gap between my children. But, I hope somebody reminds me of that when the youngest is in college and the oldest getting married and I'm flat broke. It won't feel so wonderful then, I suppose.

Talking to boys and getting through to them never seizes to amaze me. They will only answer your question if they don't feel threatened by it. It's the golden rule. My 7 year old answered me about cleaning his room if he knew he wasn't going to get into trouble. My 9 year old will repeat the question back to me as if he was checking to see if I meant what I said. The 11 and 13 year olds tune me out, but will hear and answer the same question only if he was asked by the big guy, the 16 year old. My 16 year old will not answer any question I ask if it makes him feel stupid. My oldest was driving his brother and another player home from soccer practice recently and I asked him if he knew what exit to take to drop the kid off. He answered, "Yeah, don't you think I know where I'm going? Jeez, Mom, give me a break!" Yep, he felt threatened and I got the message. So, I casually say, "Oh yeah, you know where White Lake Dr., is." My husband isn't any better. When asked does he know when our sons's soccer game starts, his reply was, "The same as last year's game." Then, I said, "Ok, I'll see you at 7." See, I just let him off the hook. When I get the feeling that I'm not going to get a straight answer, I know that they some how feel threatened by the question. So, I supply the trick answer and we both win. Men and boys hate anyone thinking that they don't know what they are doing. That's why they don't ask for directions. Here's a tip for mothers of sons. . . talk like you're a spy in another country.

School anxieties and playing in the rain

My second son, the 13 year old, is dealing with some anxiety issues about school. After registering today for 8th grade, we get his class schedule and are relieved to find he got the best teachers of that grade level for his personality. He has science with his best friend, and he grew at least an inch this summer. (He is very short for his age). Also, my oldest son will drive him to school so he doesn't have to ride the bus for nearly an hour. We finished our day with a sigh of relief and two McFlurries at the drive through before dinner. I loved spending time alone with him! Thankfully, he didn't know, that I had some anxieties about him going to school, too.

One down, two more to register tomorrow, one on Friday and one next week. I hate the last two weeks of August. I get so depressed knowing that my children are leaving me and going to school. I thoroughly enjoyed them to pieces this summer and I don't want them to go back to school. Is that selfish of me? Do they know how much I love them and how they fulfill my day completely?

As I draft tonight's blog, my sons are playing in the rain. They are jumping off our dock, into the lake while relishing in the summer rain. I hear their giggles, their splashing and pure joy! I would go and join them if I wasn't' afraid of thunder!

Day one in writing about raising five boys

I started writing about raising my five sons six years ago. I kept a journal of our days together and reflections of raising an all male family. With changes in our lives since then, I now have new technology to help me chronicle our adventures more quickly. Hence the lap top! I'm now typing dressed in my pajamas, snuggled in my bed. No longer are the days of pen and paper. The baby then, is now my 7 year old, followed by a 9 year old, 11 year old, 13 year old and a 16 year old. Yes, I have 5 boys ranging from elementary to high school and a husband who's a kid at heart! To top that, I have a male dog, too.

I will attempt to log in everyday and share my thoughts, desires, frustrations, achievements and maybe even a little advice on raising these boys. Join me on my attempt to share with the world that living with all men in one household is not as terrible as people and the media think.