When you have little boys...

I once heard someone say, "The definition of a little boy is noise with dirt on it." I don't know who came up with that, but man, is it ever true.

I find myself at home with my boys today. School and daycare are closed, and so I took the day off to hang out at home with my 2 little dirty noise balls. They're my squirrels. They are affectionately known around the house as Stink Pot, age 8 and Small Blond and Bitter, age 5.

Currently, SB&B is in his underwear, riding his scooter in circles around me, negotiating for an orange soda. His attempts began at 9 this morning, and when the answer was no, he called me mean. Are you figuring out where the "Bitter" part comes from? He just heaved a big sigh and said, "I'm sooooo thirsty!!" in the most pitiful voice he could muster.

SP has already broken the light cover over my bed this morning, when he hit it with a ball. Oh well. I needed to wash my comforter anyway....

These are the things that happen when you have little boys. They break stuff. They argue with each other. Heads get bumped, stuff gets lost. You find yourself stepping on Legos and cursing, chase them out of the kitchen, wipe faces that are dirty again approximately 10 seconds later. You find Transformers in your fridge and Hot Wheels cars in your bed.

But here's what else happens when you have little boys...

As their mom, you are loved above all others.

When they are hurt or sick, scared or sad, they look to you to make it better, because you always have. And if you're lucky enough, you can make it better. Though you know there will come a day when you can't, you do your damnedest to fix the boo boos, hug away the bad dreams, snuggle the fevers and kiss away the tears. Because you're Mom. You are their nurse, their teacher, their comfort, their all-knowing.

When you've been gone all day for a 12 hour clinical, and you walk in the door, the first thing you hear is "Moooooommmmmyyyyy!" and you are covered with hugs and kisses because they missed you.

When you're driving down the road, and out of nowhere you hear from the back seat, "Mommy? I just love you."

When they climb onto the couch to snuggle with you and say, "Mommy. You're so pretty. You're the best mom ever."

When they ask me what I got on my test or how my clinical went that day and I tell them, and they high five me and say, "Great job, Mom!"

When SP knows I'm not feeling well or I'm having a bad morning, and he gives me his most loved and favorite stuffed elephant to take to work with me so I'll feel better.

These are the things that make every moment, every struggle, everything worth it when you have little boys.

And to think I wanted girls.