Cheese Head

What fun! My girlfriend Maureen and I decided to do an impromptu trip to the park today. It had been while since we have gone to the park with it being so darn cold outside, so even though it wasn't what you would call warm, it was sunny and there was no rain or snow.

We packed sack lunches, soccer balls, scooters, wagons, our dog Littles, and we were off. I have been under the weather this week, so the whole process was a big deal for me today. I knew that the kids would love this though, so I chose to just go for it.

Once we got there, we sat down at a picnic table to dine an sandwiches, oranges, and cheese sticks. It was a classic lunch on the go, but eating it outside is where the fun comes in. After that the kids were playing on the big toys, swinging, playing soccer, running with the dog, and then there were the scooters.

My boys raced off on the scooters up and down the paved paths. They swerved here and there getting closer to the half pike on the other side of the park. Being the mom I am, I had them dress in bright colored jackets so that I could keep an eye on them a bit easier. They knew better than to go all the way to the other side, but soon the inevitable happens. They make their way back over to me asking if we can go to the half pike.

Maureen's kids are younger than mine so I told the boys we would go latter. That way there would be no temptation for the little kids to be in a place that they surely should not be. The boys accepted that answer and were off again.

As we kept visiting and keeping an eye on the the kids playing, suddenly Maureen was asking about my boys. "Is that playing or fighting?" I said it could be either one, but decided to check it out. You know, no matter how long I have been a mother to sons, I don't think that I will ever quite understand their relationship with each other. It is always so physical. Play or fight, it looks so much alike. They are always all over each other rolling and wresting or whatever. Boys are just different. Period.

Once I got to them, it was clear that we were on their way to ugly. No one was hurt... yet, and no one was crying... yet. At this stage in the game, it is usually moments away from disaster. As I was breaking things up, they were both quick to tell me their side of the story. It was my job to decipher the jumble of words and unlock the secret code of truth.

Turns out the fight is over a hat. Not just any hat though, it is a big foam cheese head hat. Yes, I said the word cheese and hat in the same sentence. The thing is shaped like a construction workers hat, but looks like aged cheese with holes all over it. It is atrocious. I have actually tried to give it away multiple times, but it never quite leaves. The more I loathe the cheese head, the more the kids love it.

Upon further investigation (yes, parents are detectives on the side) I find that my youngest stole the hat, that was his, from his brother, who was wearing it. Then my oldest got mad and went after my youngest. My youngest decided to throw a scooter at my oldest (thank God he missed) in an attempt to keep his brother back, and then they were on the ground after that. Whew! That was a mouthful!

All that to say, I had to come up with a punishment. So I told them no half pike. I was bummed out about this. It was nice to have them out playing, but I also needed them to see consequences quickly. They were naturally mad at me about this, and tried to make up with each other so I would let them stay and play. I so wanted to cave, but my better sense won out. If I cave now on this, they will they to steam roll me later on something of much more consequence.

Being a mom isn't always about what I want. It is not always about the kids getting what they want. It is about trying to do the right things when it counts. I am glad we went to the park. I am sad they didn't get to finish playing. I am glad though, that there was a life lesson learned for all.