I Guess I Taught Them Something Right

So, yesterday was Martin Luther King day. I think that's quite fitting given that we're welcoming the first black president to the White House today. But, that's not the point of this post. My point is that the boys didn't have school yesterday. Days off from school for the boys usually equate to my entire routine being thrown totally off and me wanting to pull my hair out.

Knowing that I was already very busy juggling five kids, and that I had people coming over for Little Guy's early intervention intake, I decided that it would also be a great day to let each of the boys have a playdate. WHAT AM I , NUTS?!?!? I must have had a temporary brain fart and forgotten that days off from school lead to me being completely frazzled. Can I just say I'm SO GLAD I let them have that playdate?

The Beast had a friend from church coming over. I already knew the family and the little boy, so I wasn't all that worried. He and the Beast played so nicely together in the Beast's room. I could hear them giggling as they got Pretty to do all sorts of silly things for their own entertainment. It was too cute.

I was most nervous about Number One's playdate. He is a friend from school that I'd never met before. I'd heard so much about him from Number One, but have always limited visiting friends to children of people I knew. He's getting older now, though, so I decided I'd need to expand my bubble. The boy came over and I have to say that I have NEVER met a more polite, kind, and respectful kid in my life! This boy remembered his manners to a T. He was gentle with the little ones, spoke softly in the house, and was generally a delight to have around. The King had rented some Wii games for the weekend, so they played on that almost the whole time.

After all was said and done and the boys had gone home, I realized something. I had been expecting children to be building swings from my ceiling, broken toys, loud yelling, shaved cats, painted sisters, dogs in tutus, a full raid from the local SWAT team, and possibly a hostage situation. Instead, I got a really fun and peaceful morning in addition to two little boys who were thrilled their mom let them have friends over. That's when it occurred to me that maybe I've taught my boys well. Maybe I have shown them how to choose great friends. Maybe I don't have to worry quite so much that the kids they're hanging out with are all future convicts. Maybe I can even be a little bit proud and give them more credit. After all, you have to be a good friend to have good friends, right?

So, I suppose this means I'll be allowing more playdates. I have no good reason not to. (It might have been a little funny to see the dog in a tutu and the cat with a mohawk, though).