Yesterday my house was chock full of emotions. The people inside it, I mean.
The kids beat me home--they from school and me from my second run of the day to the grocery store. (I needed matches to light the stove that hasn't worked properly in years for dinner preparations...quite possibly another post.)
Enter Emotion #1: Happiness (the kids felt it because they were free...free from questions about their day, free from kisses they'll wipe right off their faces, free to raid the pantry for expensive snacks normally reserved for school lunches). Unsupervised, they'll eat the floorboards if packed individually in a box of 5 for $3.98.
Disappointment is probably the second emotion they felt when I walked in to foil their plans.
"We're having smoothies for snack," I said. "I have fresh strawberries firming up in the freezer." (OK, maybe that's worded a bit better than how I really said it, but you get the idea.) Plus, secretly I knew we had to eat up the homemade yogurt no one will touch unless it's buried deep beneath or hidden inside something. By the way, I also hide it in mashed potatoes, since it really does taste like sour cream.
Fueled up and sugar levels elevated, the kids entered Emotion #3, Excitement. Let the wrestling and floor sliding begin. And the laughter, hysterical almost. Then the playful teasing, which inevitably goes too far, leading to Emotion #4, Anger.
A bit on the slow side these days, I was still stuck back at the laughter part.
"Everybody come here. I think we need a group hug," I cajoled. Because they're 11, 12, and 13, this takes some effort, but in good time everyone was hanging on one another, smiling, giggling, and, quite frankly, having trouble standing. Not until I caught a foot in my stomach did I realized we had some simultaneous kicking going on. The whole emotional ball of wax, these kids are.
Group hugs, at least around our house, can be very deceiving.
How are the emotions and group hugs at your house?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
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Hey sis,
ReplyDeleteGotta love the group hugs. Sara usually initiates them, she is the major emotional one (next to Todd---haha) in our family. The best emotion for me is the sound of real-loud-from the depths of your soul-laughter. Of course, this is usually followed by a "SMACK" and then "MOMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!" and then begins the next emotion....... :)
LOL. So funny (and cute). Gee, do you think this emotional thing runs in our family? Doesn't ANYBODY else have this going on?
ReplyDeleteI cannot recall my family EVER doing a group hug, at least not since 15-year-old boy and 18-year-old girl were in elementary school and best buds. Since then, we have had the "middle school" years of hating each other, now slowly moving into the we're growing up and actually have conversations...thankfully, 15-year-old boy hugs me almost every day. BTW, the thing about the yogurt is hilarious. I tried it once a long time ago with no success. Hiding nutritious items in smoothies and mashed potatoes is seriously covert and seriously awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteLOL. Well, about the covert additions of nutritious things, I was busted yesterday when the kids read that post...as was I about even talking about the group hug thing.:) In the middle school kids' defense, the hug was most definitely cajoled and there was still kicking involved, so they can maintain all coolness still. I still have some yogurt if you want some? I can totally relate to your family's "midddle school" years and am looking forward to more mature years ahead.
ReplyDeleteJackie,
ReplyDeletewhat a nice family moment you described. Please dont look ahead for the more mature years. I miss the time when my kids would spend some time around us- parents- My almost 16 years old shows up in kitchen only to eat; she is closed in her room for everything else. If she could eat there, she would be in paradise....
BTW my 13 yers old hugs me everyday and for this reason is teased as Mommy boy!!!
Oh, Vera, he's loving. That's so wonderful. I know those years are ahead. I cannot believe they're getting so old! I wonder at what age kids feel they can once again show affection to their parents. Whenever it is, it will come again for you! I'm so glad you're reading along. We can keep in touch!
ReplyDeleteThe floorboard comment cracked me up!!!
ReplyDelete