Ah, boys

I recently started working with the Young Women in the church, ages 12-18.  As you may or may not know, this pretty much terrified me at first.  I can relate much better to the calousness and non-drama of boys.  I don't think I really related to teenage girls when I was one.  But what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, right?  I'm actually really excited about it now.  It'll help prep me for our girl. 
As part of the deal, we have activities every Wednesday night.  Jeff has been really good to agree to arrange his schedule so that he can be home with the boys so that I can go distraction-free. 

Well, things don't always work out as you plan, and our first Wednesday activity I came toting two toddlers.  It was a water activity with a slip and slide, food, and volleyball for all.  Elias was so excited that he was literally the first one down the slip and slide and the last to leave when the burgers were done.  Only he couldn't get up enough momentum to propel himself down, so I had to run alongside him while holding his hand and pretty much throw him down the hill everytime.  At one point, I threw him down so hard that it knocked him over on his back and he torpedoed down the hill headfirst with a shocked look on his face and his arms and legs sticking straight up in the air.  I laughed so hard I... well, let's just say I was very motivated to take my first run down the slip and slide.  Sitting down. 

(Okay, so this is a cheater photo- it's from Carolyn's house, but it's still a waterslide!)

Anyway, after the burgers, all of the kids were playing volleyball, but Elias was still going strong on the slip and slide, and Isaac was playing with the hose at the top.  The wind caught the slide, so I walked down the hill to fix it, and all of a sudden I hear chaotic screaming.  I look up to see my two little troublemakers laughing and swinging the hose around as fast as they can, drenching all of the adult leaders sitting on the lawn about three feet away.  Who were NOT swimming, by the way. Initiation, I guess.

I also took the boys to the dentist for the first time and they were such troopers.  Elias did such a good job of opening up and giving the suction straw kisses when asked.  He looked like a mad scientist in his sunglasses and paper clothes protector thing.  Isaac was obliging enough to let the dentist look in his mouth to count his teeth.  What more can you ask of a two year old?  And of course, they both loved the goody bags.  And by goodies, I mean toothbrushes and dental floss.  Gone are the days of candy at the dentist.

Anyway, we're throwing a girl into the mix.  With two brothers, lets hope she's tough.  Again, what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, right?