my boys' toys

I took my boys to see the new Toy Story movie.

First of all, I took all 4 boys to the movies.
Even I think that is mighty brave of me.
My sweet Max, who is only 2 sat through the whole thing.
And all of the boys, ages 2 to 14, loved the movie!
I was so happy about that.



Second, holy cow, going to the movies are so expensive!
It cost us $44.50 just to go to the movie {not including snacks}.
Ughhhh!  I was NOT happy about that!

And last....the movie was somewhat traumatic for me.
Don't get me wrong, it was a cute movie.
I liked it!
I really liked that Max sat in my lap for 2 hours through the whole thing {snuggling with Mommy}.
However, the whole plot of the movie is that the kid who owns the toys is going off to college.
{that part is in the trailer, so I haven't given anything away, wink, wink!}

At the very end, this 18 year old kid says good-bye to his "mommy"
and to his toys and I was sobbing!

I glanced down the row of my boys {who were staring at the big screen}
and suddenly I had a panic attack...
they will say good-bye to me
and go off to college one day, too.

In the quiet, dark theater I suddenly wanted to scream
"you will never go to college.  you will never leave your mommy!"

NO!
Not yet.
I am not ready.

I know, I know...
I pray for them, all the time,
to grow
and to learn
and be strong men some day
{sometimes, I even pray for the one woman that they will meet & marry
but, we must never speak of that again - for at least 20 more years!}

But, I am not ready for my boys to grow up...not just yet.

Oh, right now I want them to play with toys.

More toys please!

So in honor of my small panic attack...
In honor of the tears I cried
for the kids' movie that I paid almost $50 buck to see...here are some of my boys' toys.

This book is a keepsake in our family.

Daddy tells this story like no other and our youngest 3 boys have each been addicted to his charming story telling and addicted to this book.

We have replaced this book twice over the past 6 years because of wear-and-tear.

It is definitely one of our favorite things.  It makes my boys so happy.