Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Boys will be boys!

**Updated to add pictures



Yesterday, KJ came running saying "Cbug is eating paper". I have a feeling that KJ actually fed Cbug the cute little scripture cards that we use as bookmarks. Don't worry, I think I recovered most of the wad before it did any damage. Oh, boys will be boys.

Two of my favorite people are expecting their first boys in just a few short months. I get so excited when I find out that one of my friends is having a boy because they are just so much fun! There is no way to possibly prepare them for all that is headed their way, but it has made me think about all that having boys means. I know some of these could probably be applied to girls, too, but I wouldn’t know about that! Also, pretty much everything I’m going to list could probably be found on some sappy poster at Hobby Lobby, but I had fun just thinking about all I have learned and enjoyed about having boys. There are several of my readers who have WAY more experience on this whole raising-boys thing. I’d love to hear from all of you about what having a boy means at your house.

Here’s my wealth of knowledge (from a whopping 2 years of little boys) on what having a boy means…

-You are sure to find rocks in your dryer. This happened to me for the first time last week and SHOCKINGLY…I cried. It was such a milestone (no pun intended) for KJ. The first time he brings home rocks in his pockets.

- Crying at weddings every time the groom walks his momma to her seat.

- Endless games of every kind of ball, frisbee, chase or hide and seek

- Praying that sweat suits will come back in style for teenage girls (Becky told me this at a youth event just after her oldest son was born. I didn’t understand it at the time but boy do I now! Thanks, B!!)

- Building tall towers out of blocks, just to watch them crash...then doing it again.

- Bandaging lots of scraped knees, bonked heads, and smashed fingers (Here is KJ's first black eye a few months ago)

- Being asked, in the sweetest voice, “Please kiss it for me” right before he runs off to try the same trick again.

- Getting funny looks in the nursery or bible class each week for the previously mentioned injuries.

- Feeling like you need to bolt down everything that should not be thrown

- Learning that sitting on the floor is an open invitation to be tackled or wrestled.

- Fine tuning your skills at stain removal

- Laughing until you cry, at least once a day

- Conquering your fear of bugs, and actually LOOKING for them!

- Acquiring important knowledge like whether the truck you just passed was a bulldozer or a backhoe

- Not being ashamed of making random animal noises or singing silly songs in public just to make him laugh

- Learning to pray in new way. (I remember a mom of a teenage boy once telling me that she often stood at her kitchen window where she could see her boys playing in the backyard so that she could watch and pray for their safety. I loved this because her boys were so tough and fearless.)

- Trying to learn when to rescue him and when to let him figure it out for himself.

- Debating each night whether you should wear a poncho for bathtime.

- Being so proud of his “big” accomplishments like going down the big slide, going under the water in the pool, or doing a flip.

- Actually loving the smell of a sweaty little boy because it means he’s played so hard and had so much fun! (And then there are the times when they decide to go swimming with their good clothes on)

- Getting a precious glimpse of what your husband might have been like as a boy

- Growing in love for your husband as you watch him play like a kid again!

- And most of all, having a boy means enjoying the special bond between a momma and her son. It just does not get much better!

I can’t wait to hear what some of you will add…

ABL

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Well, I started with 2 girls and then I got my boy...nothing like it. He's almost 24 and still doesn't mind that he's known as a mama's boy! He still calls me mama, still picks up rocks that he thinks are cool looking and isn't afraid to play with trucks (with Jack and Sam, of course!) And grandsons just increase the joy. You are blessed!
Hugs!

Elisa said...

What a fun list. I look forward to having something to add to it in the coming years. Love you!

Christina said...

Oh I love this post! (And I loved your last like 5 posts girl- I didn't realize I'd been missing out on some good reading- I've got some serious blog catching up to do!!) About having boys...One thing I can always count on is walking into a room they have been in and think to myself "Oh of course, why wouldn't you do that?" A few examples. Why wouldn't you...
*smear toothpaste all over the bathroom mirror
*clip suspenders to the mini blinds
*paint the carpet blue
*put random objects in the fridge
*pull all the tape ribbon out of the cassette tape
*put on mommy's make-up

Oh the list could go on and on. I do love being the queen in a land of boys!!

Monica said...

Such a sweet post!! Sounds like you are off to a great start as a boys Mom!

Pierce Smithsen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Aimee said...

I love this post! Boys are so much fun! Recently ours have been 1. bleeding from the mouth after trying to do something he shouldn't (usually happens about every other day) 2. growling instead of talking, he really likes animal noises! Boys will be boys!

karen.bradfield@gmail.com said...

I really don't know what to say! It is all true.
I guess a part of me is very excited that you had boys because if you had girls, heaven forbid they might have been "girly girls". And, as a little girl you, my love, would have just died before you would've been a "girly girl"!
So, I had 2 boys and a "tomboy".
Yes, there is a different bond between Mommas and their boys that I absolutely cherish. But, this is one momma who wouldn't trade anything for the bond she has with her daughter!
I love you!!
Momma

Unknown said...

Only mothers of boys could relate to this but I found myself laughing at them all....and remembering some of ours own. The love for any kind of tool and the excitement they give, how my two year old can work the whole entertainment stuff that I still do not think I have figured out!!!!

Cindi Schrimsher said...

Then there's the first set of stitches (and the 2nd, 3rd, etc up to the 11th set (at age 17) ) and the endless trips to the ER, when in 3 trips in 5 days, the technician asks with raised eyebrows, "He didn't fall AGAIN, did he?".. And yes sir, he did - just that! Oh how I cried the 1st time - couldn't stay in the building, until the last time, when he drove himself, and the neighbor cut them out with his own "mechanic" scissors. It's amazing - how much they "bounce" back. And how each scar remains - whether it's on their skin or on your heart. But most of all - how precious they are - whether they are 2 months, 24 months, or 24 years.