Sons & Mudders

I took my 9-year-old son on a date several months ago.  He is the middle child who, I feel, is often lost in the shuffle. My 6-year-old daughter demands constant attention. I love spending time with her.  She always wants to play with Barbie Dolls.  Of course, she is always the cool Barbie with the nicer house and clothes.  I have to follow her lead.  It’s like high school all over again.   I am my 16-year-old son’s chauffeur.  Quite frankly, I would like to keep it that way. I am a control freak. Unfortunately, much like the my hips, children grow whether you want them to or not.  My son begins Driver’s Ed Class in two weeks.  I am not ready for this.  That leaves my 9-year-old.  He is very independent.  He and I don’t get to spend nearly enough time together.  I am trying to change that. Over the weekend, we attended an event at his elementary school.  For years, father/daughter dances were held at the school. It is a special night for dad’s to bond with their daughters. My son’s school came up with a great event for mothers and sons.  The third annual “Sons and Mudders” was held over the weekend. It is an obstacle course with mud; A LOT OF MUD.  

 

 

 

 

Basically, it is a watered down “Tough Mudder” race.  This is the second year my son and I participated.  For someone who vacuums daily and washes the countertops more times in a day than a Kardashian looks in the mirror  –  I was definitely out of my comfort zone.  I embraced the experience.  I don’t think my son stopped smiling the entire night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He and my older son (the boy in white) seemed to really enjoy this moment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I pulled the “I gave birth to you and this is how you repay me” card later that night. Actually, it was all in good fun.  I enjoyed not having to bark orders to ‘pick up this’ or ‘clean up that.’  We just played and laughed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are memories that I will cherish forever.  I hope my middle child remembers these moments, too.  I didn’t cram my ass in Yoga pants and roll in the mud for my health.  I did it because I love him.  That statement will either save me money in therapy or be the reason he needs another session.