It's like this.
I grew up in a home where our door was always open. It was the hang out house. My dear sweet parents, thank you so much for making it so. I have always wanted my house to be the same way. Apparently I was not given the same kind of patience my parents have.
I say I have always wanted our home to be the hang out house but I have never done anything pro-active to make it that way. We are so busy and constantly running from this thing to that so I am bad about calling and inviting kids over.
Well now Zac's friends are old enough to just come over on their own. And come they do. Which I am glad. I really am. But sometimes I need a break.
When we first got Halo 3 and the influx of prepubescent boys began I was so excited. I thought, "Wow. We get to be the hang out house and I don't have to make any effort." I was glad Zac had friends who could come over and hang out. I was very happy to feed them all. For the first week.
And don't get me wrong. I would still be happy to do it. If the boys who were coming over were actually his friends. But it is like the whole world now knows that we have an open door, food and Halo 3 for anyone and everyone to enjoy.
Everyday. Everyday. We have had a constant stream of boys come. And half the time we don't even know who they are. And neither does Zac. He will have one friend or someone he is "kind of" friends with come and bring their whole entourage along. There is one boy who comes over everyday. Even when we tell him he can't. And he waits for Zac everyday after school. And if we say, "Sorry, you can't come today. Zac has Taekwondo", he acts all put out. Sorry for actually having a life.
Yesterday I was trying to have a better attitude about it. I really was. And I figured since it was Friday and an early out day at school we would have a bunch of boys over so I made a big dinner and it was stuff I figured the boys would like. And I really would like to entertain Zac and his FRIENDS. But then after all my effort to be nice and hospitable, I turned mean.
I have to say I was having a very bad afternoon anyway. My nerves were pretty much shot. We were gone most of the afternoon and as soon as we pulled up in the driveway here comes a herd of boys around the corner. I don't know if they have installed a silent alarm in our driveway or what. Well it was the annoying irritating boy who really gets on my nerves. And he brought 2 friends with him that Zac didn't know. Have I mentioned that this boy is in 6th grade (Zac is in 4th) and looks like he could be in high school (Zac looks like he could be in 2nd).
Well, Addison was really getting on my nerves (kind of like she is now) because she had been grouchy all day. She really needed a nap and I really needed some time away from her. So I put her in bed and told the boys and asked them not to be too loud. Oh my. Hello. They were so loud. Addison couldn't sleep. So they were irritating me so much I finally made them leave and didn't let them eat dinner. Even though I had been planning on feeding whoever was here at dinner time.
I feel kind of bad about it but not too much. Ok, that boy. The one that irritates me. He called today to see if he could come over. Zac asked and I told him no. I heard Zac tell him no. It was not 15 minutes later he was on our front porch. I wanted to scream.
So I don't know. I feel bad for feeling the way I do. I really do. But that is how I feel.
And not only that but what makes me really mad about Halo is that whenever I try to play, everyone shoots me down before I can even figure out how to move. Even my little Aubrey. I know. I know. You don't have to say it. I am a horrible mother for letting my 4 year old daughter play such a game. I actually bought her a 12 Dancing Princesses game for the PS2 yesterday so she could stop playing Halo (she even wants to play Halo when everyone is at school and she is the only one home). Right now Emily is playing the Princess game and Zac, Steve, Aubrey and our neighbor Keven are playing Halo 3.
Ok, enough said about it. I think my nerves are just getting worn a little thin in the Halo department.
7 comments:
And while I am in the complaining mood. I am really getting irritated with the whole blogger paragraph thing. I put like 500 spaces between each paragraph I typed and it didn't put any in when I published it. You can't tell but I am so mad I am punching the keys as I type.
HELLS BELLS!!!
I am not a swearing person but I am about to become one.
I just walked upstairs from posting this and annoying and his brother are upstairs!!!!
I feel your pain...well not so much from the neighbor kids, but my house is over run by it too. My 4 year old passes levels on his own....and wants to play every second that his dad is home. I'm constantly being nagged about "playing time". Hopefully it will all wear off -as James has finished it at his level AND Porter's.
Oh and amen to the blogger thing. It's different everytime I do something! :)
ally i am so sorry. It is hard when you can't hand pick who decides to take you up on the open door policy.
It makes me think of all the friends (mostly boys) that I know dad hated but still allowed in his house because he was able to practice patience and love. yes dad. I noticed.
The open door policy is something I have always wanted, but I definitely don't have as much patience as mom and dad have. I am sorry. I can't even imagine what that would be like.
So I have been thinking it over and I have decided that I am going to have "set Halo playing times". I am going to have to figure out a day of the week we aren't too busy(that will be the hard part) and let Zac and his friends know that that is when they can come and play Halo. Hopefully that will help.
Allyson, that is a good idea. I too want to have an open door policy. I think Pedro is better at it than I am. Although, I did get a lot of practice these past 9 years with all the parties and stuff Pedro's family thows. I think once the baby gets older like 2 years old, it will be easier for you to have them in your house with out your nerves being shot.
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