Shirt tucks and ...the Booger War

One precious, handsome son of mine was getting ready this morning for Mass... he couldn't have looked more dapper, dressed in his finest (his choice)... suit vest and pants, dress shirt and dress shoes. This is my son who insists on having his shirts tucked in no matter what the outfit, no matter what the occasion. He hikes his pants up nice and high, to be sure the shirt doesn't come untucked. And I let him do it, because, well... I find it incredibly adorable, despite the 'Erkel look'. (remember the tv show with Erkel? Family Matters, I believe...)

Anyway, today he was getting ready and I had big sis on 'Help little brother' duty. As she was patiently tucking in his shirt, his hand were up to his face...
"C, put your hands down so I can tuck in your shirt."
"Okay, okay! Just a minute- okay.....I....GOT IT!"
(Next moment: booger was inserted delightedly into mouth, with a great smile of immense satisfaction, having retrieved the gold.)


Mama had to finish tucking his shirt in, for big sister was just a tad bit grossed out at that point, wanting nothing to do with the Booger-Picker/Eater.

Ah yes. The War with Boogers. Am I the only one who battles this war with her children??
Indeed this was not the first incident, nor shall it be the last!! I have struggled through this with each of my children. (I even caught the 20 month old sticking his finger in his nose the other day to my great horror!!!)  But with each child, I swear- there's absolutely No Shame whatsoever! I have even tried the 'Aren't you embarrassed that so and so is watching you??" tactic. But nope. Not even a flinch. I've tried the "Gross! Think of all the germs you're touching!" approach....even having Nurse Grandma tell them reasons they shouldn't do this from a medical perspective. I've tried the 'Oh, let's be a lady/gentlemen' plea, hoping they would instinctively desire virtue over vice, manners over muck. But who am I kidding?? Seriously-you'd think they'd never had such a savory meal in their life, the way they incessantly work to reach that one particular booger, way back there, then without hesitating a moment, pop it in their little mouth and- I'm not kidding- actually close their eyes and smile as they 'chew' and swallow. Ahhhhh!!!!!! It's hopeless, it is!

Okay, so maybe it's just my kids. But... I do have hope. At least my oldest has outgrown it over time. (Unless she still does it in secret....uh oh. I hadn't thought about that.)
These habits are hard to break, so it seems.
But.... it's a child thing........right??!!
:)