My funniest parenting story to date.

Parenting is full of all sorts of things.  And it's not easy many days.  So how do we cope?  If you are like me, you hold onto the moments that offer you shock and laughter.  And with little boys, that usually goes hand-in-hand with something gross too.  With that said, I will share my funniest parenting story to date.

Last summer was largely a blur for me.  As I was still in shock from our son Ethan's sudden death the tears far outweighed the laughter.  But, one night was the exception.

Caroline, Jackson, Ryan and I were pet sitting for some friends.  The four of us went into their home to feed the animals and freshen up the water dish.  I blinked and Ryan disappeared as only fully mobile 13-month-olds can do.

Ryan rounds the corner of their master bedroom (not a concern, they have little kids who sleep in their master bedroom all of the time) proudly banging two things together.  With that twinkle in his eye that proves he is a Gray boy.  (I know this as my husband and brother-in-law are owners of the same twinkle.)

"What do you have Ryan?"  Ryan couldn't respond verbally so he grinned and smiled again with his eyes.

Then I realized what they were.  Two large-sized bottles of personal lubricant.  I swear to you, that's what he was banging together as if they were drumsticks.

After rushing to take them away and washing his hands thoroughly I realized I had to put these personal items back.  But where did Ryan find them?  I stood in their master bedroom turning around in a circle looking for the obvious place Ryan must have found them.  The drawer to the nightstand was open, that must be where he found them.  So I placed them in but no matter how I did it the drawer would not shut.  It was too narrow for the size of the personal items.

Surely these amazing parents wouldn't leave personal lubricant in an open drawer where their young child would easily find them as he fell asleep in his parents' bed, right?  So I retrieved the bottles and stood in the middle of the room again.  No other drawers were open indicating where Ryan may have found them.  I wasn't about to start violating their privacy further to figure out where they belonged.  Again I put them in the nightstand and closed the drawer as far as it would go...leaving it about 2 inches open.

For the next five days I wondered what to do.  Do I leave it there and hope I was right, while believing that I was probably wrong?  Do I throw it somewhere else in their room and pretend like it never happened?  Do I cop to it and write a little note apologizing for Ryan's indiscretion, leaving the bottles next to it?

I opted for the first option, the nightstand.  The friends never mentioned the lube...and neither did I.  It was hilarious though.  And gross.  Later that night, at a sick visit for an ear infection, our pediatrician said it could have been worse.  He could have found "devices."  I hadn't even considered that.  Yes, that would have been worse.

These stories  make the exhaustion and whiny days more than worthwhile.  So, what are your funniest parenting stories?

A full moon in the morning.

The other day I was upstairs first thing in the morning, waking Caroline up for school.  I hadn't even ventured downstairs yet myself.  But I hear Jackson's little voice yelling "Ryan! Ryan!" from outside the house.  I thought, surely not, right?

Came downstairs and found both boys outside in the backyard.  They had locked themselves out of the house.  Apparently Ryan was looking for me (he didn't think to look in Caroline's room first?) and Jackson followed suit.  Then Ryan rounds the corner of the house so I can see him, and he's wearing a pj shirt, Spider-man snow boots and nothing else.  Well, good morning Ryan.

I am sure some neighbors witnessed the full moon that day.  We are quickly building a reputation surely.

Ryan's fully embracing 2-years-old, and keeping me on my toes :)

Long distance hug.

We have family who live in Florida and in Seattle, while we live in New England.  So, it's pretty hard to hug them.  Why not send one?!

Another easy craft with my kids - and one that spreads some love across the country.  Who doesn't love getting mail?  Especially if it is filled with surprise long distance hugs from your grandchildren or niece and nephews.  

No how-to here.  It's self-explanatory I think.  The next rainy day you have, and you are looking to eat up a bit of time...consider this one.

Original link:  http://tonsoffunpreschoolactivities.blogspot.com/2011/02/long-distance-hug.html