A case of the Monday's

I have two boys, 9 and 6. Oh wait, they are 10 and 7, oops…my bad. Dang mom brain. It’s hard to keep it straight on a daily basis. You laugh, but sometimes I have to ask my 10 year old when his birthday is. I often forget if it is February 8th or February 9th. It’s the 8th…and don’t ask me how I have suddenly remembered it, it’s an embarrassing story and I won’t be sharing it here. Let’s just say it has to do with Peyton Manning, the Colts, and a Superbowl party.

Anyway, as you can imagine, my boys keep me very busy. Most days we are up at 6am and don’t get to bed until 10pm, and the hours in between are non-stop. Most of those hours in between I am at work. My job is very stressful. Well, stressful may be the wrong word, chaotic is probably a better description. I work for a very passionate woman who has a Type A personality, and my days can therefore become stressful. On those particular days all I want to do is go home, unwind and gradually work my way through the evening with a little peace and quiet.

Yesterday was one of those days. I knew when I got home from work, it was going to be non-stop at my house, but what I really wanted was a peaceful quiet evening.

I didn’t get it.

Here is what I came home to.

Hamilton (my 10 year old): (asking angrily) Mom! Why did you sign me up for Basketball Camp at Butler?

Me: Because your dad and I thought you would love it.

Hamilton: But I wanted to go to Adventure Camp that week, not basketball camp.

Me: It’s too late, I already signed you up.

Hamilton: This sucks! I wish you would have asked me first.

Me: I asked you about Adventure Camp last week and you weren’t excited about it.

Hamilton: Well, I wanted to go.

Me: Fine, I will call Butler in the morning, take the penalty for canceling and sign you up for Adventure Camp instead.

Hamilton: (with a look of horror on his face) Wait? What? Huh?

Me: It’s no problem, if you don’t want to go to Butler Basketball Camp you don’t have to go, I’m not going to force you.

Hamilton: Who said I didn’t want to go?

Me: You did.

Hamilton: No I didn’t, you aren’t listening to me.

Me: You said you wanted to go to Adventure Camp that week.

Hamilton: No I didn’t!

Me: Ok Hamilton, what do you want to do that week, Adventure Camp or Butler Basketball Camp?

Hamilton: Gosh…nobody listens to me!

Me: I’m listening now, what do you want to do?

Hamilton: I already told you…

Me: I know you did, but I wasn’t listening (I had to suck it up…he was grumpy and I needed an answer)

Hamilton: Fine, I will go to Butler Basketball Camp because that is what everyone else wants me to do.

Me: Hamilton, it’s your summer, you get to choose…are you sure you want to do Butler Basketball Camp?

Hamilton: Yes! Gosh…this summer is going to suck!

And that is how things go down at my house! I know, it makes you want to come on over and hang out with us, doesn’t it. As you can imagine, I was completely frustrated after this conversation.

I was grumpy.

Gibson, my seven year old could sense my frustration. He came running downstairs and gave me a huge hug and started this conversation.

Gibson: Mommy, I love you. How was your day?

Me: It was good. How was your day?

Gibson: You’re so pretty mom.

Me: Thanks Geeker (that’s what I call him). Hey do you want to go to the gym with me to see about getting a membership after we drop Hamilton off at basketball practice?

Gibson: Why do you want a membership to the gym?

Me: Because I don’t feel good about myself and working out always makes me feel better.

Gibson: You don’t need to work out mom, you’re pretty.

Gibson: and your not fat.

Gibson: well your butt is a little big, but that’s ok, it’s like you always say mom “Nothin that a good expensive pair of jeans can’t take care of, right?”

Me: (crying silently) Right buddy!

I love Monday’s at my house!