I'm becoming obsolete

I knew this day would happen.  Really, I did.  We even planned for it (sorta), finishing a room (twice) so they'd have a place to go without being too far.  I just didn't think they'd use it so soon.

I've lost my children to the basement.

You think I'd be happy.  I have the TV back!  No more Disney XD!  No more Jessie!  No more daggone Dog with a Blog!  No more Phineas and Ferb (I actually not-so-secretly enjoy Phineas and Ferb - more than the boys do, probably).

But, the boys are starting to not need me.  They can get their own breakfasts now.  And then they retreat to the basement.  Or, as my mother called it when we were children "the dungeon".  I spent time in my room (or, "the tower"), my brothers spent time in the dungeon.  We saw each other at the dinner table.  Or, possibly, on the way to the bathroom.

Is this the natural order of things?  Am I doomed to see my kids only when they have to pee?  Because that?  Is a real treat.

To add to that, the 4th of July has passed, which means our Summer of Fun is pretty much over.  And, while it's been the hap hap happiest summer they've ever had (of course), it has rained every.  single.  damday.  And we haven't had the chance to make wonderfully long-lasting warm-and-fuzzy family memories so I don't end up in a dilapidated nursing home.  Well, any memories other than the basement. 

Yay, basement!  The basement is awesome!  (Please don't put me in a home!)

Of course, because it's the Summer of Fun, we don't have true bedtimes.  Plus, it's hard to explain to the boys that they have to go to bed when it's daylight.

"No, it's not a nap.  It's bedtime.  Go.  To.  BED."

No concept of bedtime means lots more yelling at them (in the basement) to go up to bed.  (Please don't put me in a home!  Remember Summer of Fun!)

So, tonight, to help ensure at least one of them will take care of me when I'm old, we're having a slumber party in my room.  It's fun for them and they remember I exist.  And it helps with the "it's daylight" argument.  Plus, they enjoy all of us sleeping together.  I do, too.          

While I'm needed less, they still need me.  I'll take that for now.