A neighbor (another one) was cleaning out his garage and came across an old, well loved Red Ryder BB Gun. He decided my boys needed it.
I don't know just how well he thought that through…
One gun, three boys.
And um, three boys that live very near to his windows.
Still, he gave it to them, and of course, they just about exploded out of their very skin with glee over it.
Ryder says it's his because, "Look right here! It says R. Y. D. E. R!"
Now the Mama in me did not initially like the idea of a BB gun, you know, "You'll shoot your eye out" and all… but I gotta tell ya. I am now firmly and irrevocably a fan.
It is pure, unadulterated fun to shoot tin cans (we're going to try water balloons next). I really had no idea!
And I'm going to (ahem) shoot straight with you, I LOVE the look of awe my guys give me when I knock 'em down. "Mama you ROCK!"
Oh yes I do. Turns out mama has killer aim!
So now, on top of the china cabinet where my wedding pattern and fragile girlie knick knacks live, lies a Red Ryder. And I think that pretty well says all there is to say about being mama to 3 boys, don't you think?
{ 35 comments }
(Note to self: Must get bb gun!)
too cool.
All I am thinking is the movie, “A Christmas Story” right now. “You’re gonna shoot yer eye out.”
very cool. I think too often we push our extreme beliefs on our children and take away their simple pleasures. Looks like fun to me!
Perfect. I love this post.
Oh my, I see that being a mom of boys has more places to take me – places I didn’t expect to be going!
Very good
Having known enough parents raising gun-obsessed boys by banning all gun-shaped toys — heh — they use their fingers, their toast, their rubber bands, or anything else, while learning NOTHING about safety, and then end up horsing around with the real thing when they find it — whereas the boys (and girls like me!) brought up knowing what they are and how to (and how not to) use them would be habitually incapable of pointing a “I thought it wasn’t loaded!” gun at a friend even in jest… I think you’re totally doing the right thing. Mom, you rock 
I am completely smiling and nodding in agreement, with you and Marguerite above. The grandparents bought one for our son. It stays at their house. I miss it.
Definitely agree with Jen…thinking “A Christmas Story”. That’s awesome though! I personally think a gun is ok as long as everyone knows what to do with it and the safety that goes along with it.
That is awesome!
I’m so glad you are all having fun! We grew up on a farm with BB guns and hunting guns. We all knew how to use them and respect them. Never used them for anything except for hitting cans with the BB guns. My kids are shocked now when we go to my parents, take some target practice and I knock the cans over every time! They think their mom rocks too!
You do rock. You are not only cool but so brave. I am not sure that I could muster up that much courage.
Kimmie
mama to 7
one homemade and 6 adopted
awesome.
You know what they say — if you can’t beat ‘em …
My brothers and I had *so much* fun with a couple of these about twenty years ago, running around my grandmother’s farm. Still some of my favorite summer memories. My grandmother still has one of the ones that she bought for us and pulls it out to try to scare away deer that get too close to her tomatoes!
You’re always building such great memories for your boys.
You and me both!
Thankfully, none of ‘em wear glasses
Oh I think hanging with the guys changes me daily!
Do you know I can even get the best of a roach now? I seriously used to leave the house if I found a bug, but no more….
I think all this testosterone is rubbing off on me. Before long I’ll be spitting
You know this is the exact argument my husband used to win me over on the idea?
He also uses this one to convince me that motorcycles would be a good idea, though thankfully no one has given us one of those yet.
Knock on wood.
I can see it working though, with both the BB gun and the pocket knife that my oldest is carrying now. They really do respect the power, privilege and responsibility that those things carry.
Much more so I think than they would if they just came across them without the guidance they’ve gotten.
YOu know what I keep thinking about that movie? For all the “you’ll shoot your eye out!” did the parents ever actually give the kid any instruction on using the gun when he got it?
Maybe I’m remembering it wrong, but I think that he just ran outside and started shooting away!?
It is awfully nice isn’t it, when they give you that shocked look? The one that says, “who knew Mom was so cool?”
Well, like a lot of things, the anticipation of the day they would want one of those things was far worse than the actual thing.
It’s not nearly so scary as I thought.
In fact, I’m thinking that one of these days, after they go to bed, Mama and Papa are going to have ourselves a good old fashioned shootin’ match
story of my life!
Hee hee! I’m getting such a kick out of that picture… your granny toting her gun.
I imagine I’ll be doing that very thing one day. That or chasing off possums with their old baseball bats!
Yeah, we had some good times with a BB gun around here too, that is, until one of our neighbors called the cops. THAT was fun. Turns out, shooting a BB gun in California is a misdemeanor.
sounds like lots of summer fun!!
My first reaction was definitely, “You’ll shoot an eye out!” But I hadn’t considered how much fun I might have myself. I’m not sure I could bring myself to buy one, but my mind is spinning with possibilities. Maybe I would be a crack shot, and how great would that be?
Hi Stefani… It’s been a crazy week but I just wanted to let you know how much I have enjoyed your Small Wonder posts!
Thanks for sharing!
I never expected to want a bb gun for my girl, but your gift with words has done just that.
I’m heading over to craigslist right now…
That’s great! Gotta like it that you ROCK! Way to go Mama, got have a few surprises up your sleeve.
oh, i have come a long way myself…i’ve been shooting off micah’s cap gun on the front porch as soon as the sun comes up (not alone, with micah).
i love this story.
That does say it all, but I would like to add a couple of things – sling shots and firecrackers!
Spitting is allowed if you are working out. And boys ARE a work out!
I so love you girl. You DO rock! How fun! Add this to the list of things we’ll do when we finally get together.
xxooxxoo
Now there’s a way to settle those parenting disagreements. The worst shot has to do bathtime…I like it. However, we will not be implimenting that in our house. I would loose miserably. I think we’ll try…whoever can name this plant wins. He, he.
Love love LOVE your blog. I have three boys, too
Sorry to hear about your losing your “girls” but it sounds like you made the hard / right decision.
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