in the beginning there was no tv. well, there was a tv but it only got 3 local channels with rabbit ears. only movies could be watched on this tv and maybe some PBS. this went on for a few, good years. there was also no sugar. well, maybe on holidays or birthdays. this went on until the family moved to ohio near the grandparents. then, the sugar hiatus was over. when the eldest child of this lovely family was about 9 or 10 he asked "why can't we just be a normal family"? normal to him would be cable and doritos in the pantry.
so, the mom, who can be constantly motivated by guilt, especially when it comes from a kid, called time-warner and headed to sams club to purchase mass amounts of "normal" food. the years have gone on and the family has upgraded to a larger tv. a tv in the bedroom AND the basement. they've also added a gaming system to their lives. one with no violence, of course.
recently, the mom decided that the basement needed to function as something more than a catch all for all of the broken toys. it's being turned into a hang-out for big kids and their friends. they're on a new horizon. the eldest will soon be driving. his friends will soon be driving. where does the mom want them to hang out? in the really NORMAL house that's stocked with lots of snacks, drinks and video games. she wonders if she'll have to upgrade to violence to entice some of the friends over.
the newest addition to the family is a 50 inch LCD tv purchased on craigslist for $100 with christmas money from the grandparents. 50 INCH. it's the hugest thing ever. there some blueing on the screen but who cares! it's 50 INCHES! it will go in the basement in the normal family's teen hang-out room.
there are some things the normal family still does not allow. no texting. sometimes you have to draw the line and this is where it's drawn. they still listen to NPR and their kids still know the theme song to the news programs that come on at 5:00. they still go camping and do all things outdoors. everyone is equipped to pee outside, build fires, and fish. they read a ton, ride bikes, scooters and skateboards and everyone, including the 4 year old, can scramble up some eggs. so, maybe they should start calling themselves the well-rounded family. normal is relative, right?
5 comments:
Yea! Julie is blogging again, and better yet I am reading her blog. Love you.
OH, I love this SO much! I remember distinctly that Jesse had his first piece of candy at age 3.5. It was a peppermint. I swear Duncan was eating suckers at birth. (KIDDING!!!!)
I am jealous of your TV, but we do text. A lot. I held off for years and am now fully submerged.
no texting = no teenage drama
Don't even get me started.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, aunt julie. (HA. how do you like being called that?)
Anyways, I would agree with you on the well-rounded family part. I member the years of Aidan and Avery not being able to have sugar, and that was weird to me at the time. But I understand it all now, everything is clear -now that I'm about to be 18 that is.
Oh, I wanted you to know how much I enjoyed that 50" the past few days; run fat boy run is potentially one of my favorite movies EVER. And so, from the very deepest places of my heart, thank you so much for the suggestion and hospitality.
i LOVE being called aunt julie. bring it on:)
i'm so happy you had fun here. we love it when you guys come.
do you remember aidan's birthday party when i served you all carob cake with natural sweetners and rice dream??? i thought i was going to convert you all:)!
please STOP mentioning you're turning 18!! AARGH!
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