So what do I do with 4 boys from 3:30 - 8:00 (bedtime)? First we had to get in a game on the WII. We did teams: David and the Computer vs. Khayyam and Donovan (Aleky isn't quite up to gaming yet and Michael was still sleeping for his nap). We played a quick game of Mario Party 8. David's team was winning until the last 5 rounds (when you get "Chump Charity" - an extra boost to the looser!). Then everything changed and Donovan was able to pull out a spectacular victory! David was not pleased but then he never is when he isn't completely dominating the game.
After the game the boys went out to play, Michael having awakened by this time, went too. While they were playing I had the chance to prepare dinner. While I may not be a culinary genius I think I make a pretty mean weed rat stew (actually I just open a couple cans of tomato soup, made some tang for the drink, and we're good to go). Aleky got left-over rice cereal from breakfast (yesterday). The boys downed their dinner!
Since we were done eating we cleaned up the dishes and decided to go play at the park. I figured it would be fun and the boys could burn off some of the extra energy before bedtime. So Aleky got loaded into the stroller and each boy took his scooter and we were off. David has decided that unlocking the doors and locks is his official duty (and in some cases I think he is faster than either Michelle or myself).
Granted, all the boys took off on their scooter but Michael is just getting started and isn't quite as fast as the other boys. While he was almost painfully slow he was also exceptionally cute as he mosied along.
Aleky started off seemingly content to sit in the stroller. But that effect was short lived. Just because he's been content for a full year of his life doesn't mean that things are going to stay that way. He wanted the change to move around (and eat grass, twigs, leaves and anything else he could find nearby).
Naturally David has outgrown the simple uses of playground equipment. The only thrill left is the daring and exciting! So head first down the slide adds just a twinge of excitement.
Don't think for a moment that Donovan is going to be left behind! In fact, scaling the outside of anything is his new joy (it may the rock-climber coming out in him). He scales the playhouse in the backyard, the jungle gym at the playground, climbs into the swing on his own power, and the window ledges around the house.
As a result of the daring of his brothers, Michael is left to himself (mostly). So he is able to enjoy the simple pleasures in life...like swing in a swing or sliding down a slide.
Not that he doesn't have the longing to follow his brothers, he just needs a little more maturing in that little body before he'll be able to follow.
I began to realize that it was time to go when the playground equipment was no longer entertaining any of the boys. When I found them in the trees I new it was time to go home and begin the bedtime preparations.
We came home, cleaned up the backyard, put the toys away and came in for baths. Since I'm on my own tonight we bathed in shifts. I turned on Winnie the Pooh as a distraction. As each boy finished bathing they get their pj's on and go watch the movie. That allows me just enough time to take care of the others without fearing for the welfare of the house. With a quick rotation through brushing teeth and prayers everyone is ready for bed and we can put everyone down at the same time! So even though it was almost 8:30 all the boys were down, the house was quiet and I felt like I had done a good job watching over the clan.
Michelle (and the girls) returned home safely and thoroughly enjoyed the outing. The were uplifted by the conference and energized by the association with each other. After all, that's what friends are for. However, I've gathered that there is an undercurrent of plotting and planning for additional outings and associations so I'll need to stay on guard! You never know when they'll let me have another daddy-n-sons opportunity where we can play like boys!!!!
