We took our first four boys with us everywhere, if mommy went for a haircut, boys went along, if Daddy took the car for an oil change he'd have four little traveling companions. Grocery store, bank, doctors office, furniture store, car shopping, four little boys, a diaper bag, and a stroller, were our constant companions. If we couldn't find a babysitter on date night, we went on a family date, our four little boys were local restaurant connoisseurs.
We took #1 to Disneyland when he was three, two years later we made the Disney pilgrimage once again with #1 and #2; we didn't want them to miss out on anything.
After a four year break we added three little ones to brood; but, in the interim a fun little change had grown-up on us. We found ourselves with the wondrous innovation known as built in baby sitters. So cool! For a nominal fee, bringing home a favorite candy bar for instance, adorable Hubby and I could sneak away, on a Friday night, all by ourselves for an hour or two. Mom could run get her hair cut or enjoy a pedicure 'all by herself', a place way more magical then Disneyland. Dad found his happy place is the waiting room of the jiffy lube, sans kiddos. Yep we were hooked, even if we had to bribe our built in babysitters with actual money it was so worth it; so, #5, #6, and # 7 have been little homebodies a trip to 7-Eleven for a Slurpee is as close to a, sit down, restaurant as they get.
And bi-annual trips to Disneyland, ha, OK we did go as a family 3 1/2 years ago the big boys were fabulous to push the three strollers and get fast passes. #5 vaguely remembers it, I think.
Tonight, date night, and all our big boys had plans with friends. Gasp! We had no one to tend. So we loaded up our two little ones and headed to out to get a pizza. #6 and #7 gazed around the pick-up lobby of our local Little Caesars in wide-eyed awe, the crates full of liters of soda, the warming rack full of pizza, cash registers, heady stuff.
We grabbed our pizza and walked out of the store, there right next to our suburban, gleaming in the light from the blockbuster next door was a bright yellow Volkswagen Bug. #7 walked up faced the car, his favorite color, sighed rapturously, his hands clasped over his heart, then gave it a big hug.
What The...
We need to get this little guy out more.
10 comments:
Don't take him out more, buy him a yellow matchbox VW. It's cheaper.
Sorry to hear about your babysitter situation. It must have been a rude shock for you.
Ah, we are just getting to the point that our older boys can watch some of the younger ones. Most of our date nights are watching a video after the kids are asleep!
# 7 sounds like a sweetheart, full of love and emotion. Lucky you.
BTW - I did my "S" list yesterday
So cute!
I remember - oh wait, I'm still there!! But I have dreams of a babysitter soon! For now I bribe her to keep her baby sister happy while at grandmas house, or at the gym daycare. So soon, one cay we will have sitters and I too will experience the love/joy of going somwher alone.
A thought "what do you think of someone leaving their kids in the car at the store rather then at home?"I saw a neighbor at the store who left her kids in the van in the parking lot - with a movie playing, rather then leave them at home. the oldest is 10, - and they live just 3-4 minutes from the store... I would think it would be safer at home. What is your take on it?
Love the idea for the matchbox VW -
Really though, that is just so cute!
Simple pleasures!!!
Ha Ha! #7 and I have one more thing in common. If I ever replace my jeep cherokee it would likely be with a yellow VW bug. Grandma
And I'll take you for a ride, #7.
Wow! Little Ceasers What would it be like? Sigh..... I'm just getting to the "Bribery stage" and I love it.
This very well may be my second most favorite post from you of all time, Boy Mom. (My first was a post you did during the Christmas holiday.)
Built in babysitters...that is just pure genius. Your next challenge will be to enable your boys to take a vacation to Disneyland *on their own*, while you and Hubby kick back on a beach in the South Pacific somewhere with your toes in the sand and fruity drinks in your hand. :)
-Francesca
You crack me up! And, I am so jealous of the built in babysitters!
Mrs. Nurse Boy
That is so funny, that he hugged the car. Too cute. Babysitters are something I don't ever seem to have enough of. I take wait for the day Makiah can babysit. Won't she be happy. :)
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