April Fools

Last Thursday was April Fool's Day. I was on my media strike and had a pretty low-key, kick back day. In the afternoon, I ventured out of the house to pick up Aaron's dry cleaning. He happened to call while I was driving home. I told him that we were losers for not pulling any kind of April Fool's prank. He agreed and said that we were too busy to be cool. Next year we would think of something good.

Later that night, an opportunity fell into my lap and I just couldn't resist. Aaron was supposed to be home around 7-ish. Thursday nights are my night without the kids. I had planned a Girl's Night Out with neighborhood friends. 7:00 pm rolled around and I hadn't heard from the husband. He went straight from work to a meeting at the church.. so I really couldn't blame him for being late. When 8 pm hit, I decided to pack the pajama-wearing kids in the car and take them with me. There's nothing like walking into a "girls night" with four boys in tow. We put on a movie for the kids in the other room... I was positive Aaron would call any minute and pick them up on his way home. 9 pm rolls around and then 10 pm. The kids were still awake. Simon was the only one complaining... he wanted his crib, and bad. At 10:30 Aaron calls my cell phone. Instead of answering, I asked the girls what would be a good April Fool's joke. He called back a few minutes later and I ignored it again. At 10:45 pm, I walked into a quiet room to call Aaron back. This is how the conversation went down:

Aaron: Hey babe. I tried calling a bit ago, but you didn't answer. Where are you?

Janet: We've had a terrible night, Aaron. We're at the ER.

A: WHAT? What happened?

J: Zack swallowed a quarter and I couldn't get it out of his throat.

A: What? Is he okay?

J: We don't know yet. I didn't see him swallow it, but Ben told me what happened.

A: Where are you? Where are the boys?

J: Zack and I are at Southern Hills hospital, but the other kids are at Jane's. Will you go and pick them up?

A: Sure. What else can I do?

J: Why don't you pick them up and then I will call you. I don't know how long we'll be here. Oh, and before you leave, will you look at the calendar and see what day it is?

A: What?

J: Just look and see what day it is before you go.

A: Why? What?

J: It's April 1st. You know? April Fool's Day?

A: You are so mean. I am not even talking to you.

J: Pretty funny, no?

A: No. It's not funny. It's terrible. You don't joke about those kinds of things. Especially because swallowing a quarter is something Zack would do.

J: I know. That's why it was good.

A: So, where are you?

J: I am at girl's night. The boys are watching a movie in the other room. We should be home soon because it's way past Simon's bedtime.

A: You're terrible. I'm really mad at you.

J: April Fool's only comes around once a year. I couldn't help myself.

A: (click)

It's been a week and Aaron still doesn't think it's funny.. but believe me, it was. Did you pull any good pranks this year?