Posted by Amy in Orlando on 20:24 Jul 11
In Reply to: Basketball net, food, soccer goal, food, dh that plays WITH them, food, and food. nt posted by PariSarah
We seem to be one of two neighborhood houses. We have the basketball net, I have snacks that anyone is welcome to in the outside (garage) fridge, dh is a giant 8 yr old and if he's home, he's playing with the kids. The neighbors are the same, minus the basketball hoop + a pool.
We do have playstation and gamecube and kid-friendly games. I always check with parents first before I let kids play. The games are in a central location in the house, so I can see what is going on. Dance Revolution, even in this house o' boys, is a hit. I'm also ok with them watching a movie when it's super hot outside - again in a central location. Wallace and Grommet are huge hits with all the ages.
I've relaxed quite a bit over the years. Boys marching in and out of the house will track in sand/dirt. They will make your walls dirty in well-traveled spots. They are loud. What they think is funny is not always what you think is funny. They are always hungry. (I keep cold water in a 5 gallon container with paper cups outside, pretzel sticks, freeze pops and they're always welcome to come in and make popcorn.) I've made Tuesday night "the" night the boys can have a friend(s) eat dinner at our house. It's almost always spaghetti or tacos.
The kids' friends all know that if they are here, they are "one of mine." They help me unload groceries, they put their dishes in the dishwasher, and they all know how easy it is to make me snort iced tea through my nose at the dinner table. ;)
There are days where I'd rather have no one here, but I suck it up. I love getting to know the boys' friends and their families. I love having the kids here 95% of the time.
FWIW, my boys are 14, twins 13 and 7 1/2.