1 post from February 2009

Last night, my neighborhood had an impromptu block party, or what we refer to as "Beer Friday".  We all gathered in the cul-de-saq to drink and chat while the kids ran around like animals.  Y'know, good times.  My son and the other 3-year old boy (another G name) on the block took off to our backyard, where there is a sandbox, "rock quarry", and swing set.  I stayed up front with the adults, drinking my beer. 

Time passes quickly when you're having fun and so, when the sun set, I thought I would go inside and turn the lights on for the boys, who were still in the backyard.  Or so I thought.  I had not realized how much time had passed and we hadn't heard from them.

I went in through our garage and came into the living room.  Whoa.  WTF happened in here?!  As my eyes began to survey the damage, I could hear the youngsters upstairs in the loft.  I stepped over the toys, sippy cups, boxes of cereal, and loose cereal to start for the steps.  However, the kitchen caught my eye - clean (thank goodness) but for a chair pushed up to the counter and a cupboard open.  I noticed a light from the refrigerator and gave it a shove to close it.

Sighing, I left it behind to find my son heading upstairs carrying a six pack of Pediasure (he thinks it's a drinkable yogurt). 

Me: G?  What are you doing?

G: Don't worry, Mommy!  I got it under control!

Me: But, WHAT are you doing??

G: We we hungry, so I got cereal

<at this time, the other G appears at the top of the stairs, elbow-deep into a box of Lucky Charms>

other G: Hi, Miss B!  G got me food!

I took another look at the mess (easily cleanable), took a look at the boys (happy and apparently full) and thought to myself, "How can I really get mad at my son?"  Sure, there were tons of toys but that happens when friends visit.  I found I was actually quite pleased with: 1) G's self-sustainability; and 2) his hospitality.  He could have gotten hungry and just found stuff for himself but he actually got down 2 boxes of cereal and was trying to hook both of them up with drinks!  (not sure how they would have gotten them open - I did help out and got them some sippy cups of water).

So, I decided to let it go.

Later, I did tell him to find me the next time he and his friends got hungry.  He smiled that darn smile of his, kissed me and said, "But, Mommy.  You were having fun too." 

I guess he he was trying to take care of me too. :)