The Wheels on the Bus Go Thump, thump, thump

Let me apologize first if you have received this post multiple times.  I am wielding as sword against the "Dragon" as we speak!

The gang is home for Spring Break.  It is always more interesting and chaotic around here when they are together.  The conversations are hilarious and loud!  It started instantly on Friday, once the boys arrived.  We sat around in the kitchen discussing what to have for dinner.  Conversations were a little disjointed but somehow, as usual led to stories of growing up.  The conversation floated to the trouble they would get into and how they got caught.

I really tried hard to stay out of their squabbles.  The general rule in our house was/is that you are not allowed to “tattle”.  Handle it between yourselves, because I do not want to be put in a position of taking sides.  Besides, they learn to deal with conflict if they don’t always run for help.  Please do not believe that I left them to their own ways!  God, that would be a disaster!  I was always available to advise, but I did not handle the fights.  Of course, if they couldn’t solve the issues and things escalated – well let’s just say that Martial Law went into effect instantly. 

Anyway, our conversation worked its way to “Narking”.  They laughed as we talked about “The Surprise” being tied up with karate belts and laughing about it until I walked into the room.  He immediately started crying and trouble for the others ensued.  A lot of times, I instinctively knew and saw.  They don’t understand that.  Maybe “Mommy” and “Mini Me” do now that they are parents.  Sometimes they would tell on themselves.  I picked “Calvin” up at school one day and simply asked how his day was.  He blurted out “Fine, I might as well just tell you because you are going to find out anyway.  I got a detention and my teacher is stupid!”  Apparently I would have been a great interrogator for the CIA or FBI if that was all I needed to do to get information.

We talked about the speeding ticket “Pook” got when he was a senior in high school.  He was allowed to spend the night at a friend’s house as long as he made it to church on time.  Of course, he overslept and in his terror and rush to get home he got stopped by the police.  He begged the officer to make it quick, because he was late for church and his mother was going to kill him which was worse than getting a ticket.  He did make it to church – very late and explained to his dad what happened.  That was because he knew I was burning holes in him with my eyes for being late. “Doc” advised him not to tell me right away because I was already upset.  Church ended and “Doc” walked up to me and said “Pook got a speeding ticket.”

The conversation came to a screeching halt when “The Blonde” announced that she had never “narked” on anyone.  There was an audible gasp in the room followed by a barrage of how often and when and why she “narked”.  She was honestly the worst of the gang when it came to telling.  For a period of time we even referred to her as the "Informer".  In college when she shared an apartment with “Mini Me”, she would inform me of misdoings at least daily.  I listened and laughed, remembering.  My perspective is different now that we are through it all.  You never have to look far when you are in a large family and you feel the bus tires running you over after you have been thrown under the bus!  Have a blessed day!