Our Gang
My boys hate it when I call them “gang.”
“Mom, you sound like we’re in the 1960s,” Charlie will say, and I laugh. But I’m at a loss for what to call them — forEVER, it was always just “boys.” And calling them “children” makes me feel very Maria von Trapp. I like the idea of being so prim and proper, but that’s not how I always roll (yo).
This picture was taken at our weekly post-Mass brunch spot. We are in a nice little habit of going out with Paul’s dad every week after early Mass. We head over and settle in our spot just before the big Sunday morning crowd and it’s fun spending time together. It’s so great with bigger kids to sit and really just enjoy each other’s company and talk about whatever — what Father said at Mass that morning, how the Celtics played last night, Buelo’s memories from forever ago — we cover it all.
[a few other thoughts on that picture: one, the dress Isa is wearing is a hand-me-down from my friend Colleen. A few of her girls wore it and whenever they did I would gush and swoon. It's just the prettiest little thing. When I had Isa she brought it over. I never (ever ever ever) thought I would do more than admire that dress from afar; two, yes, we are letting the big boys grow out their hair for the summer. The school has a hair code, so live it up for now, boys! Ethan's hair grows up, Elliott's grows down; and finally, Isa and Augie are just killing me in this shot. Too funny.]
Today I was texting back and forth with my friend Stacey who has four girls. I’m noticing lately that I’m getting a little “talked out” around here. Meaning, I love having conversations with my children, my gang, but that I’m sometimes left with little to give after that. If that’s how it is in a house filled with boys, what’s it like with so many girls?
“Your ears must be exhausted by the end of the summer,” I wrote. (She has yet to respond.)
These days, I notice that I’m not so eager to pick up the phone to call a friend. I enjoy communicating, but right now, summertime, I’m so happy to just sit in silence whenever that rare opportunity arises. When the boys were little, the phone was my lifeline. Now I’m saving all my thoughts for when I get together with friends.
But it’s so wonderful, isn’t it, enjoying these bigger kids? It’s amazing to watch them blossom and grow.
When I was in Boston, I got an email from an “Internet friend” (someone I met through my blog but who I have also met in real life). Karin wrote about their busy schedule and it was such a sweet and encouraging little note that it made me tear up a bit. I read it out loud to Danielle as we were heading over to the studio.
Things surely are crazy here. I’m sure it will all sound familiar (or else you can consider it your future). Ted (the older of the two sons you met) got a call from a music camp this week. They need a French horn and have offered him full freight. He is very excited – we could not have paid for this month-long, overnight camp ($$$). So… in addition to preparing Rick (youngest) for Scout camp next week, I have to pick Ted up from a diocesan camp, push him through the learner’s permit exam (the only one of my kids who doesn’t want to learn to drive), and prepare him for music camp. Meanwhile, my college-age daughter with the active social life, and my ex-Marine son (about to enter college) are making car logistics interesting with their social lives. And my husband is determined to hike every weekend in NH until he feels ready to climb Mt. Katahdin in Maine in August. Including this weekend before the drop-off at Boy Scout camp.
Yep, that’s your future. But I’ll tell you something – I wouldn’t want to trade it for the world, and neither will you when you get to this point. The kids become more and more themselves as they mature – and more and more fun as well.
I had to laugh when I read this. Right now I have 13 kids playing at my house, including 9 boys. I went into my room with the door closed just to get a quiet breather! I can totally relate to your life.
Connotations aside, the technical term for a group of boys is a Gang. Although I’ve always thought of them as a Troupe, like monkeys.
Also, connotations aside, the term for a group of girls is a Harem. I’ve always thought of them more like a Gaggle…
I like Troupe — like acrobats or something.
I saw a sign the other day, and as a Mom of 3 girls, but I always have 4 girls and a boy in my house, and sometimes more, I think you will appreciate this:
You know you are a Mother when you go into a closet to eat a candy bar, because you just don’t want to share!
Hilarious. The other day I crouched next to the laundry table so I wouldn’t have to share my Klondike bar.
It’s all wonderful, and really quite fun! My boys are now 21, 15, 14, and 13. It changes…but it just keeps getting better!
My husband refers to our crew of boys as the “fellas” which I so adore…
Yesterday we buried one of my mom’s brothers. She had 8 of them and 1 sister, she knows what outnumbered means. As we waited for him to pass, I watched my family and had time to think. My Granny when she was still with us, always called her kids , kids. I remember her oldest son coming in on a quick visit and she was so excited. I was staying with her that night. She was about 80 at the time and he was about 60ish. I watched as they sat down at the table together over a cup of coffee and just talked. Now as a mom to boys , I think about that and can see enjoying a cup of coffee with one of my boys years from now too. And for the record they, my mom and her siblings still call themselves the kids and the youngest is 65 and us grandchildren are still called the babies and we are all mid 30′s – almost 60 yrs old.
So sweet. Thanks for sharing this. and I’m sorry for your loss.
I have to agree that it is wonderful to just be able to sit back and see the boys become their own person as they get older, embrace their faith, and try to make good decisions. At times you can just sit back and see God’s grace working through them. To me these are great oportunities to give thanks, and remind them what great young men they are becoming by staying close to Christ. :0)
How about dudes?
Except for isabel…trying to find an “inclusive” term.
We have 3 boys and 2 girls and affectionately refer to them as “The Grove Group,” a play on our name. Not sure that would work in your instance. Our oldest starts high school this year and it has been amazing watching him grow and change. While it hasn’t always been easy, and I’m certainly not wishing time away, I am excited about seeing them all grow and change.
We call our own 5 boys and 1 girl “the Tribe”. Fits well
Maybe you could call them your crew? That’s gender inclusive…
We call them the pack or sometimes the cling-ons depending on the mood/ day/stress levels! Loving the getting older part too- our eldest and only girl is 13 and then my 4 rowdy boys- but sure as my mum says, who would you send back
)
You can try “offspring” (Finding Nemo), or saints-in-the-making? or Balducci Mob might also be appropriate , with the Italian name and all. :0)