Our family is lucky enough to have family dinners almost every night of the week. The Ball & Chain has risen about as high as he wants to go in his career (the boss), is fed up with flying and is therefore home by 6 or 6.30pm each day. He travels out of town about once a week now, as opposed to the four plus when the older two were little. My teenagers have after school activities but they end around 5.30pm, although baseball has just started which will put Mr. Minimal on a bus for at least three nights per week.
Anyway, as I said, most nights we get to have a family dinner - and boy are they raucous. There isn't a shy gene amongst my three so dinner is more like a Royal Variety Command Performance. This usually includes demonstrations of the day's events, done either from a chair (the 5 year old) or the kitchen floor (Mr. Minimal demonstrating his newest break dance move, or the Queenager flouncing off). Last time my mother came, I caught her sitting with her hands over her ears, so I have bought some wax ear plugs for her arrival on Wednesday.
A few days ago me and the little guy were telling everyone about the music the teacher had played in the classroom on St. Patrick's Day (Riverdance, of course.) I started doing my best Irish dancing. Hop two three four five six seven, (to the right), hop two three, hop two three (on the spot). Repeat to the left etc. The older two were doubled up laughing; I even saw brocolli fly out of a nostril or two. This came as a shock to be honest because I danced all types of stuff till I was 18 and can usually pull these things off. Apparently not without the proper support; my boobs were bungy-ing down to my waist then up to my chin in time to the beat, which caused tears of mirth to flow. The little guy didn't quite catch on to this and begged me to keep going, which I did albeit with my hands clamped firmly across 'the girls'- causing even more hilarity, as you can imagine. (Aren't I such a good mother - embarrassing myself for the entertainment of my offspring?)
This all proved to be too much for the little guy tho' and he leapt off his chair, came running towards me with both hands extended, shrieking
"No, mommy, no. You can only show us things you're good at".
Out of the mouths of babes.
Oh well. I guess you're officially over the hill. My dancing also brings grimaces to the faces of my teens but I'm usually sufficiently tanked up that I don't care!
ReplyDeleteteenager is like that when I start singing. Really is a sight I would like to see mind. Next time I see you then?
ReplyDeleteYes, I can't even blame the Pinot, but I will be practising in time for the summer Jo - if you promise to join in!
ReplyDeleteAnd please, can you film the whole episode next time and put a little clip up? I would love to see that!
ReplyDeleteGiggling, MM
That was so funny!
ReplyDeleteFancy showing up your little one like that!
My grandchildren don't like to see me singing or dancing. They think Grans don't or shouldn't do that!
Oh my grans couldn't be stopped. One was on the stage all the time, and the other used to wave her hands in the air and sing "We are Sailing" whenever she'd had a sherry! Now we know where I (and the kids) get it from.
ReplyDeleteWhat a hysterical thought...or should that be image? I've been sitting here reading this with glee, but giggling quietly for fear of one of my two hearing me.
ReplyDelete'What'cha laughing at, then?' would be followed by 'Go on, Show us then!', and no, I am not about to demonstrate my interpretation of your story. As funny as it is, I'd never live it down. Especially whilst the daughter has possession of the video camera.
Just what I needed today though....Thank you!
We should form a duo:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lindenwald.com/album/oireachtas/index.htm
Wear a tight shirt, though ;)
You're a brave woman trying to re-enact Riverdance all by yourself - surely they have a cast of thousands?!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a lot of fun evenings, your kids will have some great memories of family dinners.
When do I get to come to dinner?!It sounds like a blast!
ReplyDeleteMy boys are always telling me to stop singing in the car. They don't mind if it's Baa baa black sheep, but if I am caterwauling to Gloria Estefan or some such on the radio, for some reason they object....
ReplyDeleteAh bless him! But don't give up the dancing. I think we need YouTube clip!
ReplyDeleteYep! I'm all for the vidoe clip too!
ReplyDeleteLMAO Toni! I have to say the boob thing conjures up quite an image. The Hubster and cats are similarly unimpressed when I try to whistle along to a tune!
ReplyDeleteOh that is such a delightful story. I can well picture the mirth from well, you know! and all that other hilarity. Its so rare to have fams actually eat regularly together but soo needed. Now, if only i could figure that out with my fam too.
ReplyDeleteOh this is lovely, it rings so many familiar bells. Suffering grandparents who are noise sensitive at the best of times, and 3 kids all in competition for the spotlight. Your place sounds like a home from home Mind if a add you to my blog list?
ReplyDeleteGo right ahead. It's funny but tonight Mr. Minimal is off at baseball practice and the B&C is out of town. I am completely thrown by the fact that it's only going to be three of us for dinner.
ReplyDeleteOh my! That post made me both laugh. Don't worry though -- you're not alone as I've done the same thing!
ReplyDeleteThat is so wonderful - how funny and how brilliant of you to do that, and to tell us all about it. You're a great Mum, that's for sure. M xx
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