This Mom gig gets tougher and tougher

Today was my first day of the beginning of many days with 7 kids. Now 4 of them are mine, yet 7 is a big number. Every summer, as this is the 3rd one that my niece and nephew are with me every day, presents the same challenge the first week or two. Kids figure out the rules, the schedule and the pecking order of who is in charge. This particular year is even more interesting as #1 will be 10, niece will be 9 and older daughter is 7 1/2. Girls cling to girls at this age which leaves the perpetual person out, usually #1. 3 is always a bad number for that exact reason, #3 has C and now #4 has AA. It is just a good thing that he typically does his own thing when electronics are allowed anyway.
After the extras went home and Daddy took #2 to her ballgame #3 tagging along, I was left with the oldest and youngest. Right now #4 being big enough to hang but little enough to not make choices means quality time. We bantered in the car over crazy situations such as Monster truck driving across all the cars on the highway. Usually I listen to his off the wall scenarios and go uhhuh but this time I felt capable of egging him on and making my own suggestions. We laughed and enjoyed each others company. During Tae Kwon Do #4 just HAD to go pee pee which means take off shoes and walk past the kids yelling AA and punching/kicking everywhere to do so. It means the class stops and it is quite an ordeal..no thank you. SO, tonight being the awesome mom I am we made a different choice. I loaded #4 up and we drove the block to Burger King, used the restroom and got a "treat" which really means a meal for #1. I purchased and Icee which is fun treat and shared some fries from the meal with #4. Then we headed back to await the end of class.
As we headed to the car he chattered about how he "forgot" his water and I simply must stop and get a drink, then poof there he found the surprise. Of course he attempted to swap drinks with me, huge grin too. But happily we chugged along for home. Of course little queen in the back seat saying My sip until she was allowed to enjoy some of the Sprite too. The chorus of Mommy Home was ringing in our ears when #1 asked if we could watch a movie together, unaware that is was in fact nearing 8pm. Not wanting to let him down suggested an alternative of a quick bike ride. We scattered to get going before the other half of our family made it home. Our direction of travel led us to G and G-ma's circle making enough noise to get her to join the fun. We took a ride on the rode a bit, stopping on the way back to pet the horsie-horsie's and then head inside. I instructed #1 to take a shower before heading to bed and remained out for a even shorter bit with #3, #4 and G-ma.
When I entered the house several things happened before I noticed #1 "hiding", making an appearance of hanging up his clothes on the back of my bedroom door. He even had shielded himself behind the door to be unnoticed. It did not work. I took one look at him fully aware that he did not shower in the 30 minutes he had to do so. Calling him out on this offense he looked at me and lied. Deep sigh! Touching his hair I shared my certainty of the untruth, then remaining calm as I spoke. My words were short and sweet but the very real ramifications of my distrust sunk in. He headed to bed, I picked up a reference book with scriptures and Godly wisdom on honesty to make this bigger than a mom son thing. It just sucks for us both. I know that I have to stick to my guns for not only tomorrow and the consequences set but the next time we go out. I shared how time spent is regardless of him being good or bad, but there are things that don't happen when I can't trust him with the truth.
I am pretty sure he heard me, he was quiet and focused. These are those moments necessary for the future when the stakes are higher, yet they are so tough for us both. This mom gig doesn't get easier...less physically demanding but def not easier!