The boys had a beatdown... So, this past weekend the boys got into their first real fist fight. Andrew ended up with a black eye and a bruised shoulder. Colin had lots of scratches. And I sat there and let them do it. Now, don't get me wrong. I didn't want them to keep beating on each other. But you know the advice you've always heard - don't get in the middle of two dogs fighting? Well, the same applies to a 10 and 11 year old. I shouted for them to stop - they didn't. When they were starting to wind down, I got in the middle and sent each to a corner. Then they started up again. And have I mentioned the cuss words? Yes, they know all of them. I can only wonder what my nice, elderly neighbors think. They had to have heard the screaming. Not yelling, S-C-R-E-A-M-I-N-G. I felt (feel?) rather like a parenting failure. Mike was not home at the time. So there was nothing he could do. Once they had gotten it out of their system - Andrew went storming off to his room and Colin sat down on the couch and cried. He was worried that he would be in lots of trouble. But I didn't really punish them. Took TV away for the weekend. But really, by the end of the day, they were back, playing with each other. Is this normal? I mean, Bruce beat the crapola out of me when we were little, but we never really played together and he never really "hurt" me. And he certainly never did it when mom or dad were around. So should I have washed their mouths out with soap? We ended up having a "family meeting" once Mike was home. Lots of "We're disappointed" and "You should know betters" but no real consequences. Of course, I felt bad ALL DAY. Cried a lot. But really, by Sunday evening, at the pool, they were playing like the best friends that I see them as (usually). What else should I have done? Or was it all right for me to just let them get it out of their system? And why am I second guessing my parenting decisions? And really, I had thoughts like "this is when I wish we only had one child" or "I have to seriously endure this for another ten years or so before they 'grow out of it?'" Sigh. Here it is two days later and I'm still obsessing, although my kids have basically forgotten about it. They were concerned over how to answer "What happened to your eye?" because neither wanted to say they had fought with each other. Anyhow, not the greatest subject for posting, but it was on my mind this morning.

This may be one of my favorite pictures - ever. It's like the modern day Rat Pack, but comprised of 10, 11 and 12 year olds! This is Andrew (with the stylin' hat); our friend, Will (I was in his parent's wedding!); our cousin, Ben; and of course, Colin. I love that they are in seersucker and shorts. They had so much fun at this wedding and I didn't have to worry about them once. Not even when they said they were snake hunting. For water moccasins. Poisonous snakes. Nope, at the time, wasn't worried a teensy bit. Was just having fun enjoying myself. Knowing that they were having fun. Not worrying about my parents - Mike was there to drive them back to the hotel if they wanted to leave earlier than the rest of us (they did). Just enjoying. We were in a beautiful setting celebrating with old friends and family. Everyone says they love this photo of me and Mike. I like it for all of the above reasons, but not that I think it's a particularly good photo of me. Why are "we" so critical of photos of ourselves? We just need to get over it! So for everyone who says this is a great photo, "thank you!!"

A year in the making

So it's been a year. I often wonder how people who blog daily do it. I mean, where do they find the time? If they work full time, when to do it? If they are stay at home folks, do you have dedicated computer time? Since I'm on the computer all day at work, I rarely want to get on it when I am home. Although we don't have a good laptop or wifi at home, and maybe that is why... Is it any wonder my friends laugh at me when I say I am not connected to my cell phone. And Mike thinks I check it all the time. So much happens in a year... The boys grow up so much. Andrew is YEARNING for independence now. Colin has made huge strides in baseball and athleticism. I probably gained the 25 lbs. I just lost. Mike just keeps plugging along! Maybe if I dedicate myself to this I can start posting on a regular basis. What would be a good regular basis? Every day is just another way of setting myself up for failure. Once a month? Once a week? What do I think I could do? This makes me realize that I don't take as many pictures as I used to, either. Thank goodness for the camera on the phone - and instagram. Makes me think that I have actually had some photos in the past year. Sometimes it has been a concious decision NOT to take pictures. Since Mike is rarely the one initiating photos, I'm always the one doing it. And sometimes I want to LIVE the life, not just document it. So, we'll see what develops...