Off Duty

I would normally have something to write about early in the week after the boys carry on over the weekend but we were off duty for a change. Hannah’s brother, his girlfriend and two daughters looked after the boys while we went off surfing with some friends in Lahinch. We’re very grateful but I would love to know how they got spaghetti sauce on the ceiling, there must be a story worthy of a blog post in there somewhere!

I could settle for writing a post about the fun we had over the weekend but I am trying to pretend that this blog isn’t really all about me. Other than that, the grown up adventures just aren’t as amusing. There was a lot of me face planting off a surf board and a reasonably funny story about our impromptu beach party that was rudely interrupted by a four legged gatecrasher of the vermin variety. One of the gang deserves a mention for asking me how “Fat Boy and Monkey Chops” were getting on. [At least he’s reading the blog!!!]

Anyway, we were busy enough that we didn’t have much of a chance to dwell on the fact that we were missing the boys and a far too rare lie-in will cure many ills. For their part, I don’t think we will ever have to worry about the boys being clingy or suffering from separation anxiety. The plan on Sunday was for us to have a quick surf in the morning and then get home in the middle of the afternoon to relieve the babysitters and catch up with the kids. I was feeling pretty confused when we got out after our “quick” surf and realized that we must have been abducted by aliens. How else could you explain a “quick” surf taking three hours? We got a bite to eat and hit the road, arriving home in the early evening. My illusions of the boys pining for us were quickly shattered. Not only did they barely acknowledge our return but Monkey Boy pushed me out of the way so he could see the TV when I tried to give him a hug.

Does it make me a bad parent that I would like to think that they were at least a little miserable without us? Or is it all the other stuff that makes me a bad parent?!!


P.S. The mimicry reached a new high this evening. I’m getting used to being careful about what I do because the boys copy everything. Monkey Boy scraped his shin climbing up a step tonight and was having a bit of a whinge. I gave it a rub and kissed it and thought that would do it but he wanted more comforting. My services were not required though, he displayed his youthful flexibility by curling himself into an improbable position and kissing his own shin. I nearly needed some sympathy myself as I fell off the deck laughing.