Fullhouse!

That’s exactly what we had at home last night. Yesterday, my friend called in to ask me the favour of looking after her kids after school because she had to go on a day trip to New York City (USA) for a meeting. I was delighted to be asked and gladly accepted ‘coz they are not just any kids – they’re my favourite ones: Patrick (Alexander’s “bestest” friend, as he proudly calls him) and his little sister Sarah, one charming little princess. Their Dad, as it turned out, was also out on a business trip in Germany and wouldn’t be home until early evening. I was told he would pick the kids at our house from the airport before going home.

Anyway, Alexander was so thrilled at the idea of having his friend at home on a weekday – he knew we had to adjust our house rules when it comes to play and bed times (he is sent to bed at 7pm).

Picking up the kids at school was a breeze. The minute they saw me coming through the door, they dropped what they were doing all at once – danced and pranced their way to the changing rooms and got dressed. Little Sarah was so excited at the idea of walking home with me (we live close to the school) – but since it was raining, we brought the car instead. She was just as pleased as we shared one big umbrella as she declared I had the prettiest umbrella she has ever seen.

As soon as we were dropped off at the house, my husband went on to pick up his sister arriving from Madrid. I sent the kids off to do their stuff and busied myself: prepared my homemade pizza (using white bread) and baked tacos. The kids downed my ham and cheese pizza with milk and with gusto! They loved it so much that I had to make another round of slices for each of them.

By the time Jan and his sister got home, the house was in full swing with the kids’ laughter, giggles and screams of delight as they engrossed themselves in playing with the Wii, the race tracks and the LeapPad. Sarah’s favourite game was the Memory Game and the Snakes and Ladders’ board games.

And then, there was a knock on the front door – another friend of Alexander dropped by to come and play. There was no mistaking Alexander and Patrick’s shrieks of joy as Lucas joined in their afternoon of fun.

As I served the children their ice cream – vanilla with crushed chocolate bits and strawberry cream toppings – we, the adults settled to have our taco meal and our own share of titter-tatter. That’s until we heard a commotion in the media room.

It turned out that Alexander, as he is not used to losing a game with someone, got so upset that Sarah and Patrick was winning the race all the time and lost his cool over the game to the point of getting hysterical. To calm him down, I separated him from the group to talk to him while the others continued to play.

I had a lengthy talk with Alexander over this incident and didn’t let him out of his play room until he’s calmed himself down. He was crying profusely as I explained to him that in a game, or anything else, you can’t always win. That sometimes, we all have to lose a game and that winning isn’t everything. He gets easily upset over things he has no control of, and this is something we try to train him – acceptance of the force of nature or luck when things do not go the way he wants them to. In due time, he will learn this … he’s only 8 yrs old and he has all the time in the world to see things through.

All things considered, the kids were quick to dismiss their differences and went on to play – this time, I introduced the “bubble games” where they could all take part in blowing bubbles and chasing them all over the garden – they all had great fun! The laughter, the giggles and screams were back … ‘twas heaven, again.

Soon after, Lucas was picked up by his older brother – it’s time for supper! Lucas was of course disappointed – he doesn’t want to go home yet. But saying no is out of the question. So, home he went with his big brother.

Well after 8pm, as Patrick and Sarah was still at play, the doorbell rang. As if on cue, we heard a chorus: “Oh no!” - and then there was a scrambling noise all over the house – Patrick and Sarah went into hiding!

I opened the door to meet Stephen, their Dad, coming all the way from the airport to pick them up. But the kids don’t want to go home as yet. But again, to say no is a big no-no. As their eyes pleaded to stay longer, their Dad said no. Getting them dressed and ready took a while, same as with them saying good-bye to us. Sarah gave me a big warm thank-you-hug with a soft question whispered in my ear:

“Can I come again?”

“Anytime, Princess Sarah”, I answered lovingly.

Sarah smiled her sweetest smile. She loved that … me, calling her Princess. She’s one little adorable girl.

Suddenly, the house fell silent. Quiet. It was somewhat eerie. As we settled in for our “grown-up time” in the living room zapping to one TV program to another, Alexander was left on his own – still at play on his Wii.

After awhile, I gave the order for him to get ready for bed. He did so without much of a fuss – he knew he went on “overtime”.

Last night was a night full of fun and surprises. Once more, Alexander’s social skills was put into test. I guess he needs occasions such as these to be reminded that the world does not revolve around him … that there are other children whose feelings he needs to address, too. Life is a learning process – we win some, we lose some.

What a day!