ohbloodyhell8

and so far it’s been a blast.  Many trips to camp to drop off and then a week later pick up the boys.  A great vacation in Gettysburg.  Fabulous day at AMNH.  Several baseball games.  Times at home just hanging out and having fun.

There has also been a lot of growing up, chased by bittersweet acceptance of these events.  Yes, we were able to do a lot this summer because the boys are getting “older”, but with getting older, you are no longer younger.  Younger Son went to Toys R Us the other night for the annual tradition of using his birthday club gift card from Geoffrey the Giraffe.  While there we learned the reason why Older Son has not yet received his card from Geoffrey.  He’s too old now.  Only goes till you’re ten.  Neither of us were ready for this and it was a sombre ride home.

They are almost done with visits from the tooth fairy.  Why?  They are almost out of teeth to leave for her.  Belief is still strong (why not? Free money!), but they only have three teeth left to lose.  It has brought each a new perspective about the importance of not taking things for granted and embracing childhood by fighting back more adult responsibility for as long as humanly possible.  Yes, Older Son can’t wait to be 16 so he would be old enough to volunteer at AMNH, but by that same time so many joys of childhood will have ended.  The birthday club realization seems to have slowed him down a bit.  They both have been more willing to simply be kids since that night.

They are also reminded regularly that they never have to really grow up.  Become an adult, yes, but grow up? Nah, I haven’t yet and am doing quite fine.  Now I have to go play with my Nerf gun.  Hubby and I are going to have a Nerf war.  They boys are making us do it.  Hubby’s Nerf gun is ready and on his desk, my gun has a dart jammed in so the war has been delayed.  Yep…our own guns, we don’t borrow from our sons. 😉