These kids are highly emotional, and Tuesday we were on high alert.
Every couple of days, I get a cute picture of baby Jack. I've only heard that this little guy is a sweet and happy baby. Not yesterday. He fussed. He cried. He squirmed. Nothing would make him happy. It got so bad that during lunch, Leddy said "Damn it, Jack!"
I burst into laughter. I couldn't help it. I'm not a good uncle when it comes to that stuff. And you know what? It was the right thing to say.
I gave up on Jack, and took Madison, Jake and Leddy to the movie. We didn't get out of the garage before we had our first fight. They continued to pick at each other for most of the 20-minute drive.
Lou Ann told me to make sure they all went to bathroom before the movie started. We did that, and I'll say that taking three into the men's bathroom was really stressful. (I don't know if a 7 year-old is supposed to go on her own or not. Nobody covered that. You can let me know.)
We settled into good seats for Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked. Cute little movie. The Chipmunk's version of those songs made me laugh out loud.
Leddy sat in my lap. Here's what I heard:
"When is this movie going to start?"
"When is this movie going to be over?"
"Why are you laughing?"
"I'm hungry."
"Can I play a game on your phone?"
"Why not?"
"I'm thirsty."
We went for ice cream afterwards. They chose what they wanted, and I sent them to a table. The cashier asked if they were my kids. I explained, and she said "They are so cute."
As I got to the table, Leddy and Madison got into it. Madison crushed Leddy's cone. With the crushed cone in hand, I went back to that cashier and said "Remember those cute kids? They're fighting." She replaced the cone free of charge.
We had our second public bathroom experience, and the clientele at Braum's was not nearly has receptive to the four of us in the men's room. I realized it was my turn, and I took them out to table next to a nice looking lady with her grandchildren. I told the three of them to not to get up and not to talk to anyone. For once, they did what I said.
Off we went. I played some of the original songs we had just heard.
"Why is her name Lady Gaga? What does Lady Gaga mean? I like the Chipmunks better."
You know what? In the moment, I agreed. Anything for a laugh.