Light at the End of the Tunnel

The boys were a little crazy and a whole lot grumpy a few days ago.  Each of them had their moment - a brilliant crying temper tantrum of a moment.  All of their moments occurred outside, on the front lawn, at full volume.  I responded by having a few mommy dearest moments of my own.

In short, it was not our best day.

I was counting down the minutes until bed time.  They were still wound up at bedtime, so to give them time to regroup and calm down, I asked them to each read a book in their own bed for a few minutes.  I retreated to my bedroom for a few minutes of peace.  All was quiet in the house for at least five minutes, until I heard the giggling.

I stomped out of my room, prepared to find them wrestling, jumping on beds, or dancing with underwear on their head, but instead I stopped outside of Griffin's room shocked by what I found.  They were lying side by side, snuggled up in Griffin's bed, reading a book together and laughing.

To see their heads so close together, to hear their quiet voices reading the words out loud and to see their shoulders shake with mirth over the antics of Diary of a Wimpy Kid made the day worth it.  It was a minute of pure perfection that makes even the worst of days the best of days.

Popular-ist!

The boys had just finished their pre-bedtime showers when Brennan bounded up to Chris and announced, "Daddy, I am the most popular-ist kid in my class."

I laughed and repeated Brennan's word.  "Popular-ist, B?"

"Yeah.  I am!"  He laughed.

Griffin shrugged, smiled and said, "I am also the most popular-ist kid in my class too!"

Brennan nodded at Griffin, then looked at me sideways and said, "Yeah, Griffin got my good looks."

Nope.  No self esteem issues in our house.  Not a one.

Track Team

After we finished up the chaos that is basketball season, I asked the boys if they wanted to start a new sport for the six or so weeks before summer sports season begins.  They told me that they preferred a few weeks off, so apart from golf lessons, we were looking at a nice few weeks of freedom.

But then!  Aidan and Brennan came home from school a few days later giddy over their decision to sign up for track.  Track, I asked, confused.  Because, really.  No one had ever mentioned any interest in track.

Track!

Mother's Day

It was my last mother's day tea.  My last one.  Three boys.  Three kindergartners.  And all of them took part in the same  mother's day tradition, singing the same songs as part of the same celebration.  I cried each and every time.

When the moms arrive for the tea, the teacher has us wait outside the classroom.  One by one, the kids come out to give their mom a flower, escort her into the room and seat her at her designated spot at the tables.  It is my very favorite part of the tea.  I love seeing the sweetness in each child's face as they find their mom in the group of us and lovingly escort her into the room.  Their little chests puff up with love and pride.  It is truly a beautiful thing.  (And inevitably, I am crying even before I get to my seat at the table.)

It feels like just yesterday it was Aidan singing the special songs, and then Brennan.  Days like this make me feel like I blinked and my children grew up overnight.  

Boston Love

Talent Show

The boys' school has an annual talent show.  Neither Aidan or Brennan have ever shown any interest in performing in the show, but Griffin was determined to be a part of it.  At first, he decided he would form his own band (led by him, of course!), but then he amended his plans to include his brothers.  Aidan on bass, Brennan on drums and Griffin on vocals.  After their first rehearsal, the boys decided they wanted to include their adopted brother Ryan, who would share lead vocals with G.

And a band was born.  And I know I am biased, but they were just the cutest, swoon worthy, darling band of boys ever to grace a stage.  Really.

They rocked the house to One Direction's You Don't Know You're Beautiful.