halloween

Well, Halloween is not the same when you have teenagers. There is no more carving pumpkins (THE FIRST YEAR!!!), no more excitement over getting dressed up and getting candy. No, this year was a little sedate. The boys did have their friends over, and then they all went to friends houses in town. One of Little Son's friends mother came over and hung out and then drove that group. I drove Big Son and his friends. As we were driving to his friends house, he said, "Mom, look at these little kids and their costumes. (Little Son) and I always had better costumes." It's true. My Grandmother and I (mostly her) made the costumes. It could have been a clown, or a teletubbie, they were all great.

Both boys and friends were home by 9:30, and Big Son and his friends went downstairs. Little Son and his friends went upstairs. at 10:00 I went downstairs to put wash in, and all the 15 year olds were so asleep they were snoring. Little Son and his friends were on their way outside to play manhunt. Now, at 12:15 they are finally coming inside and going upstairs to hopefully sleep.

Although it was a little crazy today/tonight, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love the fact that the boys have their friends over and that their friends feel comfortable with Husband and I. Sometimes it does get a little overwhelming, but my feeling is that if they have their friends here, I can get to know them and know who to trust and who not to. The hardest part of being a parent of teenagers is that I'm not ready for it, but then again, who is? Your children are totally different in kindergarten then when they are in Jr. High and High School. The big difference is HORMONES!!! It makes you understand what your parents went through and what you acted like. That is why, to me, it is important to know your child's friends. It will give you a very good perspective on who your children are and what their personalities are.

Tomorrow is another big day. Little Son has a party to go to and Big Son and I have our "monthly date". There is one day a month I take each boy, on their own, and do whatever they want. It can be a movie, lunch, walk through Mt. kisco, walk around the mall, or whatever. The only requirement is that we have to spend the time together and talk and it is a minimum of 2 hours. I started doing this 2 years ago and it is great because sometimes, on those days, they will be more willing to talk because whatever they say isn't a "family" discussion. I made a deal with them if they talk or ask advise on something that otherwise they wouldn't, I would tell them something about growing up that I wouldn't usually tell them. Yes, I also explain how I learned from a mistake, but when this conversation comes up, for the most part, they want to know what it was like when I grew up and what I did.