I think calling your boys, "your boys" is normal. When I talk with anyone about my girls, I refer to them as "my daughters", and I don't give a hoot what anyone thinks! I'm having fun, and they are my "kids" and we treat them that way. I'm not going to apologize to anyone for whatever word/s I use to address my little girls. I wouldn't worry about what anyone thinks!
I would just feel sorry for anyone who expresses distaste toward you, that they don't have the wonderful feeling that comes to having "fur-kids"!!
