They Like Me, They Really Do Like Me!

My husband and twin boys are off on a one night camping trip, so I am home with my two older children. It is eerily quiet around here. No wrestling, no whining, no running around and getting the dog all hyped up. I miss those little monkeys.

Anyway, I thought I should use this time to do something special with my two older kids. I thought this could be our chance to bond. To catch up on the latest news and happenings in my 9 year old and 11 year olds lives. I thought they'd be excited to do something special with me too, but no--you know what they wanted? Sleepovers! Just when I'm down to two kids! Not to be mean, but having friends come for a sleepover was the last thing I wanted to do.

So I tried to gently explain that this was our chance to have a big kids night out. That we could go to dinner and do a little shopping (I knew my son was wanting/needing some new shoes). Chevy's, Red Robins, Johnny Rockets, they could have their pick. The words "dinner" and "shopping" seemed to do the trick. I had them melting in the palm of my hand. And then I realized, I was bribing them to hang out with me. I flashed forward 4 years and saw myself trying to lure them into spending time with me with this same bait but having a different outcome. Oh please tell me this nightmare won't come true!

Anyway, we went to dinner (Chevy's) and hit the mall and found some new kicks for us all. Who knew shoe shopping with a 9 year old and 11 year old could be so much fun? They were so cute--helping each other pick out shoes. They even had suggestions for me. We then stopped at Old Navy and ran up the charge card even more.

We hurried home to watch Timmy Turner Wishology--not too bad. But the best part was we ended up having a sleepover in my room--cuddled up watching Nim's Island. And you know what, I didn't even have to bribe them on that one. They like me! They really do like me!