Blame it on Rooney

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

The teenagers are home today.

Somehow that always puts me in mind of Paul Revere's Ride and want to shout, "The Teenagers are Coming! The Teenagers are Coming!" While generally they are pleasant lads... they do come with some baggage...mainly in the way of noisiness, large quantities of food consumption and messes.

Truthfully though, I enjoy having my kids home and actually look forward to their days off from school.  I am as excited about the countdown to summer vacation as they are, even as I have to continue to crack the whip and robotically repeat over and over, "Is your homework done?"

The only downside to their vacation days is they never seem to coincide with my vacation days.  That would be because unless I physically leave this house and go far, far away to a place with 24 hour maid and food service, I don't get any vacation days. I know many of you can relate to this reality that comes with the blessings (and I do mean BLESSINGS) of having a home to maintain and a family to feed and clothe.  

To say that housework is like shoveling snow in a snowstorm might be some of the truest words ever spoken.

Today was no exception...

There was laundry to be folded and put away.

There were beds to be made (in all their pink cuteness).

There is this disaster that needs to be dealt with by one of the aforementioned teenagers.  Did I tell you they are messy? 

I just closed the door...

And then there is the small issue of my sons thinking that somewhere in this house lives Alice (from the Brady Bunch- I know, I'm dating myself) who will be coming along shortly to clean up this mess and shoo the little scamps outside so they can throw the football around and end up breaking Marsha's nose.

Luckily, just when it seemed there would be no choice but to give into the demands of everyday life...

...there was this face...

...just begging to get outdoors...

...silently pleading for a romp in the sunshine...

...asking for nothing more than to get out of this house and have a change of scenery.

And wouldn't you know? That was just what I needed to!

So, instead of looking at piles of laundry, dirty dishes and unmade beds.... I got to see this:

Thank you, Rooney Booney Boo.

At least I have one child who knows what Mom needs. ;)

[Lia & Pippa]

I love Rooney! His sweet face makes me happy. 

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Awww Rooney! Who could refuse that face! Looks like you made a great choice and had a beautiful day!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Wow, what a gorgeous view! The doods are always good to remind us to get out. Rooney you are adorable!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You live in a gorgeous place and I am so glad that you have one 'child' that wants you to take time to smell that fresh air and enjoy those beautiful vistas!  As to the dreaded messes - close the bedroom doors and hope for the best about kitchen.  There is not going to be a reprieve on that kitchen until they leave again....

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

Thank you, BruceGirl- I DO have a wonderful life! I'm grateful.

Lynda- I appreciate the exercise benefits as well.  I look forward to the day when I can run with Rooney but for now I thoroughly enjoy our brisk walks.  We are so fortunate to live in a neighborhood where by walking no more than about five minutes I can be looking out at the beautiful Puget Sound.  But I have no doubt if I were to get Rooney in the car we could find even more fabulous walking routes. Maybe this summer we will get more adventurous!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Love it!  My dogs are my excuse to get out of the house also - not to escape teenagers, but to get some exercise.  They remind me if I haven't had any exercise by going crazy in the house.  "Come on Mom, come on.  Too much time on the computer."  So off we go for a walk.  But first we usually need to have a drive to get to a walk.  I would never drive 50 miles to have a great walk, but for them???  No far is too far for a great walk.

[BG and Gavin]

What a wonderful blog.  I enjoyed reading every word.  Sounds like you have a beautiful life!

[Bonnie and Kona]

<3 your comment below, Jane... Don't cry; when they leave, it gets hard and then it gets better when their hearts come back home. 

[Lori, Rooney & Zuzu]

Barbara- That should be a new primetime television show- "Doodles Know Best". :)

Doris- You mean Alice won't be coming soon? Rats. It's another gorgeous day today so I'm sure Rooney will be giving me that face again and I will have no choice but to succumb to his sweetness.  Of course, he gives me that face on rainy days too...

Laurie- I need an Alice assigned solely to my eldest son's room.  That alone would be a full time job for the poor gal. Of course it might look a little odd to outsiders to have a 50 year old woman residing in our 17 year old son's room.  But I can't be held responsible for other's need to gossip.

Jane- Are you trying to get me to start my day in tears? :) Believe me, I truly do treasure these years. I can't wait for summer vacation to have them all hanging around all day. I love these messy, noisy people who call me Mom!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Awww - what a sweetie pie that Rooney is!!!!  The housework - it never ends but your children being the age that they still come home - that doesn't last.  So enjoy the mess while you still have it, after they are grown and gone - you'll WISH for these days back.