While I spend lots of time with the kids, and drive them/their friends around often, it's unusual for us to have a day where we 1) eat out and 2) treat others to meals out, because of #1. Yesterday was such a randomly fun day. I'll have to remember this.
We started off by taking the boys to an early morning soccer game. M took Nick, & I took Sam. Nick's game was very close, but ended in a 1-2 loss. Sam's game was a tie. There was almost a fight on the sidelines between parents. I truly don't understand people. This was what I would describe your typical, run of the mill, Saturday morning soccer game. Your normal amount of fouls, your normal amount of missed calls, just a regular game.
After the game, I decided to invite one of Sam & Nick's shared friend to go to Starbucks with us. This friend had a rough day on Friday & was feeling pretty bummed, so I thought he could use the time out with friends. I was already taking another bonus kid home (helping out their parents). The boys were all teasing each other, talking about school & soccer tryouts. By the end of our stop, everyone was laughing. I used Starbucks rewards, so it was even a frugal stop, although not the intention.
We all had lunch, and then I sent M away (unexpectedly) for some surprise friend time. He was so, so very excited. I feel lucky that we are at a point in our lives that extra kid time is fun, vs a lot of juggling and effort. Weekends when the kids were babies were really challenging. It sounds like M is having a fabulous time, so I'm really glad it worked out.
We headed to another soccer game for Sam in the late afternoon. Sam & a buddy made a huge play in the final 30 seconds of the game, and tied it up right before the whistle. It was a very enjoyable game to watch. It was, however, freezing outside! I had tossed my emergency car blanket into the trunk, and Nick, ignoring my suggestion that he wear pants, was grateful for it. ;-) The game didn't end until 7 pm, so we hustled to a restaurant that a friend recommended. I was helping out a different friend, & also had her son, who used to be Sam's BFF, but they've grown apart since elementary school & have rarely spent time together.
The dinner out was one of the most enjoyable I've had in SO long. It was a combination of things. Very happy & animated teenagers. No one even interested in checking their phones. So much laughing. Great food, lots of storytelling, & giggling boys. You have to just embrace these moments, because they are so very rare. The food was delicious, & teenage boys can truly consume *all* of the food. What a wonderful way to close out the evening.
As for today, I'll be taking Nick to another game, and tennis lessons, & then making tacos. Other things on the list:
- Laundry
- Wash sheets
- Make beds
- Plan the menu for the week
- Prep for the week ahead
- Have the boys work on homework/soccer ref scheduling/drivers tests
I love this post! I can feel hw much you love your time with your boys, and their friends. We all need to be helping each other out-whether picking up an extra kid and Starbucks, or dinner, or just being the mom there when any kid needs a little extra. You're good people!
ReplyDeleteIt was such a fun evening. I felt really lucky that it all played out, with M out of town, I felt no rush to get home, which led to the dinner & M having a wonderful time with a friend who is in recovery from cancer. It was such a serendipitous & lovely sequence of events.
DeleteYes, it's so true about helping others. I've been the recipient so, so many times when M & I have had scheduling conflicts, so it reminds me how critical it is to step in & lend a hand.
This did sound like a fun Saturday. I do not understand parents fighting!
ReplyDeleteThe one parent was not trying to fight. He should have walked away, but he definitely was not talking or instigating. The other parent was really foolish
DeleteI remember those days and they were wonderful. It is great to have genuine laughter and to be able to listen in a little is just a bonus!
ReplyDeleteIt truly is a gift. The teenage years often feel lonely as a parent. You are a driver & very "busy", but less sharing & visibility.
DeleteI am afraid I'm never the "Fun Mom," and I find that a great deal of teenagers are self-centered, back-biting, mean spirited monsters, and their parents are just as bad, if not worse. I do enjoy *my* kids for the most part, AND I'm fortunate in that my neighbor's boys are good friends with mine, particularly my youngest, and I actually enjoy spending time with their mother as well as her boys. We have an annual event that we participate in every February, and it's always a laugh. Daughter also has a few, sweet, kind friends who I've carted to and fro over the years, and it's always been a good time.
ReplyDeleteI doubt you're never the fun mom-it just may be different. You had "girl" stay with you and made her feel welcome, not a burden. You've included your neighbor's younger child in activities. No one should have to be the one all the time to step up, but you seem to when it matters Meg.
DeleteTo Sam's point, caring about people & helping them out trumps fun every time. Sounds like they have a tight group, which is awesome.
DeleteI love this (minus the parents - what is UP with mean sports/activities parents? I never understood them as a kid and still can't)!
ReplyDeleteI keep hoping with all I have that my two will grow up with generally positive and safe experiences like yours are having and that we mostly had.
It's so disappointing. I've seen hundreds & hundreds of games (thousands? I'm too afraid to do the math) & the vast majority of the time you get the normal shouting about a call, or general stuff, but occasionally there are some real idiots.
DeleteI love when the boys have a glimpse of normalcy. Team sports are not for everyone, but I do love the forced time with peers, the fitness, the no device time, the shared goals, learning about winning/losing & everything in between. It's been great for our kids, but when they were younger, was primarily a vehicle for my ADHD kid (undiagnosed) to get all of his energy out. :-)
It's so true, the rare & enjoyable moments need to be celebrated!
ReplyDelete