Laughter Is The Best Medicine

You may have noticed from the tone of my posts that this has been a bit of a tough week. You take a dash of exhaustion, throw in some random hormones, and mix it with two pre-school boys who are pushing every boundary known to man, and it gets a little weary.

Some people may turn to drinking to help them cope with life. While I do enjoy my Diet Coke, I have an even better coping alternative: humour.

Sometimes, when I am in the thick of it with the kids, I forget that you cannot reason with a pre-schooler. I know this. I really do. So then why do I even try? Sometimes I forget they are 2 and 4, not 12 and 14.

When I’m really on my game, I can step back from the heat of the situation and see it for what it really is. I have two pre-school boys who are just testing the boundaries to make sure that they are still there. And that those boundaries will continue to keep them safe.

The kids are not out to “get me”. Or purposely drive me crazy…though some days it sure feels that way. And I could let everything slide…except I can’t. I want to raise these boys to be great MEN. The best way to do it is to call them on the big stuff, and then just LAUGH at the small stuff. Because if I didn’t, I’d be driving myself crazy.

So. I’ll make a silly face. Or do a crazy dance (to screams of STOP!!!). I’ve even been known to pass gas. Oh, come on. You fart too. A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do to diffuse the situation.

Then at the end of the day, Honey and I will recount the crazy/embarrassing stuff the kids did that day and get a good chuckle out of it. Like the poop on the shirt story.

But there are more! So many more! Would you like to hear some? Of course you would.

***

We were in the checkout line at Wal-Mart last week. There was a big line-up behind us. Graham has his Daddy’s keen sense of smell and said, “What’s that smell?”

I told him that I didn’t smell anything and asked him what he smelled.

He shouted for the store to hear: “You! You TOOTED!”

I did NOT. When I recounted this story to Honey he said that it made sense that Graham would assume it was me. Thanks, Honey.

***

When I bring up a basket of clean laundry, Nathan like to take pieces out and throw them around the living room. He’s been seen with a pair of my underwear on his head. A nice pink thong. One night he was starting to take things out like he usually does.

“Nathan! Don’t throw the clothes.”

He smiles and throws one more piece.

“I mean it! Stop throwing the laundry.”

He looked up at me, mischievous twinkle in his eye and smiled. He then proceeded to pick up the basket and empty all of the contents onto the floor.

***

We also still have the classic, “STOP!” said by yours truly, with the oft-heard reply:

“No, YOU stop!”

Bring it, kiddo. Bring. It. ON!

***

The laughter far outweighs the frustrations. It has to. Or none of us would survive.

Here are a few pictures from yesterday. We’ve been spending the days outside now that spring is FINALLY here. Everyone is so much happier outside. The kids are happy, and I am happy. Happy, happy, happy!

Happy Easter everyone!