The Mack Attack

I have written a lot concerning my 6 year old daughter, and 2 year old son-but have not had a blog post about my 9 year old son, Joseph. We call him "Joe Mack," short for Joseph Mack Van Straten, and he is quite the flirt! Joe Mack is the IV, and my husband is the III, and Joe Mack's grandfather is the II. From the time that Joe Mack was born, he has always had a way with the ladies. I have been told it is a name thing since my husband was that way (until he was caught by me of course) and my father-in-law. The other nickname that circulates our family is "Mack Attack" for obvious reasons. My husband reminds me daily that it is not just a coincidence that Mack is their middle name...oh gag me with a spoon...
This kid has had a girlfriend every year thus far in school. When Joe Mack was younger, he used to talk to me about these girls and kind of giggle about the topic. Once he reached 7, Mom was no longer cool-unless I let him have one of his buddies over to play video games. The first day of school last year (3rd grade), he would not let me walk him to class. This year (4th grade), he would not let me even walk him into the building! I cried the whole way home... My husband reassured me this was normal behavior from boys and that he did the same things to his own mother at that age. It was still hard for me to digest, so I went to have lunch with him... and that was when I discovered-it was all about a GIRL! Geez, what a shocker...
As I am sitting there having lunch with Joe Mack, or ahem...Mack Attack, I catch him glancing at this girl and blushing. I lean over and whisper, "Joe Mack is that your girlfriend?" He looks at me, embarrassed and says," No mom-can we PLEASE not talk about this?!" So, I played it cool and dropped it. Later that night I cried again to my husband about how I felt my oldest son, whom I gave birth to at the tender age of 21, thought I was no longer "cool" enough to talk to about girls. When the hell did this happen????? As a protective mother to my oldest son, I want to so badly to dislike every girl that comes into his life. But this little girl in particular is gorgeous and just the sweetest thing. She just so happens to live in our neighborhood-and ride the same school bus as well. I always wondered why Joe Mack was so excited about riding the bus...
This year Joe Mack and this beautiful little girl were fortunate enough to be in the same class (oh that poor teacher.) I happen think she adores Joe Mack as well just by the way I have caught her glancing at him. She is shy and very ladylike about her feelings, which I just adore! Joe Mack has started fixing his hair, brushing his teeth without being told, and sneaking in his Dad's bathroom cabinet to spray cologne before school. I caught him the other morning before school spraying cologne and putting gel in his hair. As soon as I walked into MY bathroom and smelled my husband's cologne, I asked Joe Mack what he was doing to which he replied," Um nothing mom...I need to grab my library book." And he proceeded to walk away. I found out later that he told MY MOM that this girl really likes the cologne he has been using, it is also the same one my step dad uses. So, he will go and tell his NANA about this, but not me? He will tell his DAD about this girl, but not me? He will tell both his GRANDFATHERS, but not me????
His younger sister does not take to well to him taking an interest in girls either. Sydney told me that one morning as Joe Mack and her were walking into school, the girl he adores was walking beside him. Sydney told me she was just furious that he was talking to this girl and not her. So she proceeded to yell as loud as she could," Hey did you know that my brother wears unicorn panties?" Oh the joys of having a jealous little sister.....
I never thought the day would come when I was not cool enough for my son. I feel like the dorky mom in "Diary of a Wimpy Kid!" But you know, I suppose as long as my son is a true gentleman and has the ladies lining up-I must be doing something right. The generation of "Mack Attack" continues...