Pump up the volume

I am certain that this is not the first time that I noticed how loud kids can be but tonight in particular seems to top the charts. This Saturday was a lazy day where we got up at our leisure (well 7am is not my leisure but the kids thought so), ate cinnamon rolls which #2 still calls roll ups and watched Star Wars on the couch. Husband was home so it truly was the entire family.

At about 10:45 we finally were all dressed and ready to head out for a Chinese lunch (the fav for all of us) and then shoe shopping. These errands were met with little disagreement adding to the family fun.

As we approached home preparations were made for nap time and relaxing technology based fun for us non nappers. Sadly, #3 and #4 went into their rooms but neither napped. In the past this would have sealed the deal for a horrible evening but as it has unfolded that was not the case. At the kids request dinner was pancakes made by Daddy, quadruple yeah for Mommy.

Once cleaned up game night picks begun to be laid out. #1 of course chose a wii game which is iffy because it only allows 4 players and there are 5 of us of game playing age. Hubby and I finished up our computer activities as the wii game was begun...this quickly turned into the loudest experience my house has seen...

#4 began random screeches, she is now 21 months old and has learned how to do such well. Daddy to join in, and probably and even larger part to bug #1 began yelling Bonzai at the top of his lungs in regular intervals. #2 not wanting to be left out started howling, even arcing her neck and looking up as she suddenly turned part wolf. #1 got annoyed as expected and started yelling at the noise makers. At this point I began laughing at the ridiculousness of it all.
#3 entered the room from his second shower. He somehow lacked the ability to use soap in the first shower and had to repeat. He had a puzzled look on his face for about 3 seconds and then grabbed the stick horse in order to yell giddy up and gallop throughout the house. #4 loves to run at this point so she took off somehow missing bottoms screeching and attempting to gallop as well. #1 had lost his patience, red faced and all leaped at his oldest sister who was within reach with the intensity of a hungry tiger, tackling her to the ground. #2 being nothing short of strong rolled over and whacked him with an even greater amount of force. #1 always aware of being older and what should be stronger started to cry out in pain and look to me for support but since I was laughing like a hyena still, he whipped around and dived back on top of her. Daddy O popped up from his seat faster than I have seen him move in a long time about to open a can of whoop ass on them both when I managed to get out the words Daddy stay calm. The room froze...everyone kids included were unsure as to what reaction came next..the silence was eery for this house. Daddy's serious straight face was questionable and then....he tickled them both. The laughter rang out louder than ever before and the two decided to wrestle again this time for fun, the negative encounters had already been forgotten. They plotted to move all items in the nearby area which prompted an all out cleanup. They also instructed the littler two to "back away because the might get hurt".
Right now #1 is still in front of the wii awaiting game night to begin. #2 has turned ring leader to #3 and they are playing their bazillionth imaginary game of the day. It seems to involve jumping around, yelling sounds such as gooyeesca and closing bedroom doors. Every so often the littlest girl runs through little hiney hanging out laughing and smiling right along.

Yep kids are loud. They are messy, expensive, trying and generally taxing. BUT at the very same time...they are creative, innocent, loving and a gift. Moments spent with them are short and priceless. I think I will take the loud over the still and quiet....well this time anyway:)