15!

We were able to drag you out of the house for an outing to a local park the other day. 

Well done, boys.  We appreciate having you around from time to time. It is less and less as time goes one, which is both encouraging and sad.

You are 15 now, and we are proud of you both.  You've completed online driver's training classes, but we have to wait for the driving portion (way long backed-up due to our pandemic) before you get your permits.  There are so few places to drive to, but I do remember where you are going doesn't really matter so much when you get to drive. 

I love these guys.

Particularly when you smile.

Smiling while grabbing broccoli, bonus.

Growing Up Covid

Two  years ago this month.  

Everyone was still my kid. 

These guys, so adorable. 

Now, as tall as his father nearly. 

Both taking driver's education. 

A Difference of Opinion

Use all fingers and your face as a sauce reserve. 

Do not acknowledge that forks and knives exist. 

Carefully cut meat from the bone and never let a sauce touch your face. 

We Did It!

The iPhone projector for my birthday was great!

It didn't have the actual pieces with it to work with the iPhone though. 

So they ordered the piece. 

But when the piece arrived, they discovered it was for an Android camera. 

So, they got in an actual car and went to an actual store. 

And, they did it!

And it is pretty fantastic. Now I can escape anywhere I like, and watch whatever I like, even if I have to hide in the closet to do so. 

Track Season

First race out on the hurdles, Ben won!

 

Nick ran the mile, half mile, and some other long race. 

 

So proud of them both!

Mother and Son Sighting

After checking to make sure no one was cheating by standing on their tip-toes,

We confirmed that the boys have not quite grown taller than me this year.

Smile from Nicholas, bonus.

Flashback Friday: March 2007

Spring Cleaning of some sort.

 

Before our first haircuts in preparation for Aunt Lori and Aunt Brian's wedding.

 

Not one of their favorite moments.

 

They still act like this when we say it's time for a haircut...

Boys

I make you have dinner with me, so I can catch a photo from time to time these days.

 

Otherwise, you are coming and going and hiding.  Perhaps you are arguing.  Perhaps you are playing together in the basement or not  I know you have a Sprite in your armpit and a headset near by.   Nicholas tells me not to worry, he'll come back around some day.  These days, I catch my moments when I can, and I know that rarely involves taking a picture and just sitting to talk for a few minutes while I have one of them. 

Happy Birthday Boys!

Perhaps  today, we'll get you to put those down and smile together for us.

We officially have teenagers!

Off My Task List

Let them argue with someone else.

 

I finally gave up the home haircut task. 

12 years, I think I did my part.

 

Turns out, they hate getting haircuts, no matter who is doing it.  Glad it can be someone else from here on out.

 

 

It's Scary Movie Season

 

The boys and I found ourselves alone one Friday evening a week or so ago.

We three started watching the original Halloween in separate places.

We wound up like this, reminding me of weekends with four toddlers many moons ago.

 

I'll do anything for something that might resemble a hug from them these days.

Now the Real Challenge

Ensure that at least two a week join me for meal preparation.  

You want cinnamon apples?

Let's make them.

 

Roasted Chicken and potatoes with cauliflower to go along.

We ate pretty well.

Boys

I plead with them to stop being ridiculous.

Come on, I said.  20  years from now, when you are getting married and we're showing pictures of the family and your brother is your Best Man, we need some proof that you have always loved one another....

Never mind, you are clearly too busy pinching each other.

 

Twenty years and we have loved one another.

Even if we can't be counted on to recall the actual date of the anniversary.

 

Chicken Fried Steak

Nicholas: Mom, this looks like something that should be photographed!

 

Ben: Yes, But look at the way mine is stacked.  That looks like something that should be eaten!

 

I have no idea how we have come this far without attempting this around our house.

6th Grade Music Performance

Ben--stiff as stone, much like his first haircut.

But, the boy signed up for chorus as an elective all on his own for next year, and that makes me happy.  I love hearing him sing to himself when he forgets what is happening around him at home.

 

And Nick.  Now granted the girls there are up a step on the risers, but this entirely reminds me of my own 6th grade year.  Despite having nearly caught up with his brother recently in height, the towering of the girls at this age is so awkward.  It'll change soon, I'm sure. If I remember correctly, I was essentially done growing by this point in 6th grade, and when I headed into 7th, the tide had turned.

Oh Boys

You could not for the life of you figure out why you had to attend the Elementary School musical and art show.

 

We could not for the life of us consider leaving you home.

 

That you then got into a full conversation about the difficulty of creating shadows in artwork, that made us smile.

Spring Fever is Beginning now

And when we returned home late Sunday evening, we did not have to meet this.  This was mostly gone.  Although the records are in, and February 2018 is on record as one of the top 10 snowiest in history.

 

Not having to shovel was good.  Because when it was the boys' turn, it took them two hours to do the drive.

I'd look out the window and they would be shoveling.

Later, I'd look out the window and Ben would be shoveling and Nick would be hitting him.

I'd look out the window and Nick would be shoveling and Ben would be laying in a snow bank.

I'd look out the window and they would both be gone, disappeared.

I'd look out the window and they would be shoveling.

 

Eventually, they got it done.

Polar Bear Patches

Friday night camping was cold.

Their Polar Bear patches from camping in a 32 degree in Alabama laughable.

 

Both excited here to begin the evening.

 

Guess which smiling boy enjoyed the sleeping in the cold.

Guess which boy didn't bring one of his three layers and was cold...