The Boys Next Door

Our family has been blessed with having our home located right in the middle of two great neighbors.  In each of these homes reside 16 year old boys.  We have known these boys since Kindergarten and have watched them change and grow into extraordinary young men over the years.  They have been best friends for all these years and they have come to be like our own children as well.  I truly believe that they have spent as much time at my house in the last 13 years, as they have at their own homes. 

I bring these boys up, because the other day, it was my mom's birthday.  The boys saw her car at my house and brought her a cake - A HOMEMADE cake.  What 16 year old boys bring their neighbor's mom a birthday cake that they made themselves?  My neighbors, that's who.  Anyway, after my mom left, they stayed and chatted with my family for awhile as they usually do and I was reprimanded that they have yet to make the blog.  They want me to share with the world how wonderful they are and all the funny happenings and events we have shared over the years.  I explained that if I mentioned everything, I would be writing this post forever, but promised that I would start to mention the more humorous and interesting happenings in our neighborhood from here on out.  

Today, Neighbor boy #1 has saved my skin.  You see, Mr. P's right-hand lady, his studio manager has decided to take a well needed vacation for the first time in 10 years.  Of course, it has turned out to be Mr. P's busiest week of work this year and as you might know, Mr. P is STILL NOT on his feet.  So, dear hubby asked if it would be possible for me to fill in for right-hand lady and help him out all week.  Of course, being the wonderful, doting, ever-helpful wife, I said "Oh, not a problem my love."  The only thing I forgot to take into consideration was the fact that eldest cherub is away for the week and I did not think to make any arrangements for the care of littlest cherub.  I mean, NO ARRANGEMENTS AT ALL, NOT ONE.  Littlest cherub is 11 and probably could stay on her own during the day, but my fear is that left to her own devices, not only would I come home to the rubble of a burned down house, but that the entire neighborhood might be in peril of her clumsiness as well.  

Anyway, on Monday, I craftily recruited maternal grandparents for a little help.  They were taken by such surprise when she showed up on their doorstep, what could they possibly say?  Tuesday, I again, stealthily and cunningly enlisted paternal grandparents.  I knew my slyness was getting better because I got not only day care, but she spent the night there as well.  Alas, running out of relations, today came upon us.  As the fates would have it this is Mr. P's most stressful and busiest day of the week.  No care for littlest child.  What to do? What to do?  Do we chance leaving cherub #2 home alone and hope for the best?  Do we bring her to work with us hoping that disastrous events will not ensue in front of one of our largest clients?  We were stumped.  We felt hopeless.  We were stuck between a rock and a hard place and saw no solution in our near future.  Enter Neighbor boy #1.  

As the hardworking, trustworthy and ambitious soul, he tutors on Wednesday mornings for (ironically enough) the summer class that littlest cherub happens to be taking to ready her for Middle School.  He has been the kindest of souls, carting littlest cherub back and forth with him EVERY SINGLE WEEK.  This is not a small task, as littlest cherub usually starts the trip with groaning, crying, moaning and the occasional screech of "I DO NOT WANT TO GO THIS WEEK!"  Many times, neighbor boy #1 will cajole or barter her into the car with promises of slurpees from Cumberland Farms after class.  Sometimes, we place her (gently of course) kicking and screaming in his car and wave happily as he drives off with the grace of her morning moods.  

Today, neighbor boy #1 agreed to not only cart littlest cherub back and forth to school, but agreed to take her to lunch and then on to the mall for some shopping and whatever else might possibly catch her fancy, all so I would not have to worry while at work with Mr. P.  I ask you, where do you possibly find a neighbor like this?  It's the things like this that make me love the "boys next door".  They are always willing to help out, for adults and children alike.  They will spend time with Mr. P, who is 40 to neighbor boy #1's little brother who is 6.  All you have to do is ask.  If they have the time, they are on it.  Moving furniture, getting your mail, watering the plants or just hanging out with you to pass some time.  They are true, honest and trustworthy.  They are wonderful neighbors and superb human beings.  

So I tribute this post to you neighbor boys #1 and #2.  I will be sure to keep posting about you as events of your lives unfold.  And I also say Thank You - Thank You to you for all that you do and all that are to my family and Thank You to your parents for raising you well and letting us be such an integral part of your lives.