The Place to Be

We are officially the hangout.  This is not an easy adjustment for Clark and I. We are very lowkey, some may even argue "too" low-key. We are not loud and flashy. We don't host monthly club meetings nor the occasional dinner party.  Other then visits from family that is about the extent of our entertaining.

We now play host to the neighborhood boys.  My two could not be happier. They look forward to the daily, YES daily, sound of the soft knock at the door, quickly followed by 3 irritating rings to the doorbell if we do not respond in a timely manner. The boys go into a crazed hysteria, "They're here!  They're here!" 

Everyday.

Usually within 30 to 45 minutes after we return from school.  Or by 10:30ish on the weekends.  Then consistently throughout the day.

We send them home for lunch; they are back about 30 minutes later. We send them home for some quiet family time; they do a block on their bikes and are back at the door.

We try to keep them outside in the yard; they sneak in.

Muddy shoes and all.

Yesterday as I walked into the kitchen with a load of laundry in my arms I noticed one in the fridge. I startled him by saying his name in which his head jerked up, each cheek stuffed with grapes and another fistful in his hand.  "OUTSIDE!" I yell, and he scurries off.

Clark and I take turns monitoring the play.. The basketball that leaves Nelson crying, the dodgeball that quickly gets out of hand and too rough, the bike rides that inch further down the street then we allow...

Not sure how much longer this routine is going to last. While the boys love it, I do not.  Clark does not.

I am really starting to second guess my previous statement about wanting to be "the place to be."