April Fools' Day and Other Shenanigans

Wow! I can't believe it is April already. I had hoped to pull a few practical jokes on the kids, but time got away from me. It's early though, so you never know!

I don't remember any great April Fools' jokes as a child, but I'm sure we tried to pull them. Last year, my sister and her husband played a variety of silly jokes on their five children. She cut out a bunch of brown "E's" and placed them in a brownie tin, put egg dying tablets in all the faucets, added googly eyes to several items, and blocked off the microwave.

Even though my family was not into April Fools' jokes growing up, we all loved a good scare. The Bowser family tradition is scaring the wits out of unsuspecting people! I think it is hereditary, because we all love it!

The first story I remember hearing was about my Grandpa Bowser. One day while my dad and his little friend were in the barn, Grandpa snuck around to the side and made lots of growling noises and scratching sounds. He scared the dickens out of the boys. My dad remembers that he had never heard his father laugh so hard, before or since. This has become a favorite story and was even reincarnated decades later.

A few years ago, my two sisters were out in the barn. They had mentioned being afraid to go out there for fear the coyotes would "get them." Dad couldn't resist. He secretly followed them out and began to make the requisite growling and scratching noises. He could hear them frantically talking about what they should do, which only made him laugh harder. To this day, he can barely get through the story without crying from laughing so hard!

Another sister decided to scare my mother one time. She waited until Mom had loaded up the old station wagon with the trash bags to take down the lane. We lived down a long lane and Mom would haul the bags of trash to the end for the garbage man. Chrissie, about eight years old at the time, crawled in the back seat without Mom noticing. Once at the end of the lane, she popped up and said, "Hi Mom!" I'm surprised Chrissie lived to tell that story!

I think the funniest prank or scare I ever pulled was on my son Derek. I know I shouldn't have done it, but like I said, I inherited my desire to scare people, so I can't help it. When Derek was about six, my youngest daughter was born. He was watching me change her diaper one day and asked where her penis was. Oh readers...I mean, you just can't let an opportunity like that pass by. Quickly, I gasped and said, "Oh no!! Where is it?" Derek screamed and said, "DID IT FALL OFF!?" The look of panic was priceless, I am laughing out loud just thinking about it! Oh my goodness. That was by far the funniest scare I have ever given one of my kids. (Don't worry, I quickly let him off the hook and we had a very serious anatomy lesson!)

Why not share some funny stories from your family and personal history today? Don't forget to write them down! I am sure they will become some of your family's favorites. Happy April Fools' Day!