Barnes boys...where they at?

We are approaching the end of Summer. This has been seriously one of the best summers ever and I am so thankful that Bryson has documented all his experiences. Let's be honest though...he did NOT always want to do it..like never...he was cool with it the first few times and then it was like homework. Speaking of which, I am sooooo not looking forward to the homework battle. I'm trying to figure out ways to not make it a battle...basically I am always trying to figure out ways not to battle Bryson, but I will save that for his update...but back to reflecting on Summer. I feel like our business is in a much better place - I feel like our kids are a little older and (a teensy) bit easier to be out and about on your own with and dare I say it...even enjoyable...I am really going to miss our lazy mornings and sleeping past 7 and no homework battles and no schedules except the ones I made and being all together and eating lunch together almost every day. So long summer of 2013 - you were good to us! 

Bobby!! 

The Awesome - Bobby has been talking sooo much this summer and just about everything that comes out of his mouth is adorable (except when he tourretically shouts butt and poo poo and pee-nee because he thinks it's funny) He is such a trooper - you can take him anywhere and it is just all awesome to him. He is on the brink of turning 3 and at the age where nap times can be skipped so bed time is easier, and this summer we were about whatever the day held and not so much his napping schedule and he was a trooper. Yesterday as I was changing his diaper he looked at me and said, "Mom - you are superman" - in the sweetest way. I  can't really describe how awesome this was - but I could tell it was his way of telling me he loves me. it was super sweet.

The Not-So-Awesome - Bobby is such a little sneak! and a destructive sneak. I came out to the living room this morning to find piles of granola in our shag rug...then in his room and look - there is another pile of granola all over the floor...its like he went around the house throwing granola everywhere. I have never owned a monkey, but I suspect having a pet monkey would be very similar to living with Bobby - let's throw this over here because why not? His level of destruction is like unbelievable. I have put off even thinking about buying any piece of furniture or anything nice for our house until Bobby is like 14 and maybe capable of being able to not destroy something.

                           

Bryson!!
The Awesome - Bryson placed #6 in his age division in his region for golf. The scores were calculated over the course of the tournaments he played this summer. The kids who play these tournaments are super serious - practicing every day...seriously like little PGA players - so the fact that Bryson, who plays other sports and practices not too often (1-2x week) is pretty incredible. He is a natural and we hope he continues to love the sport and not get caught up taking it too seriously. He lost his other front tooth and now sports a new smile and the cutest lisp and instead of calling him "straw hole" Bryan calls him "spoon hole" and we all laugh. 

The Not-So-Awesome - Bryson is struggling big time right now controlling his emotions. He cries almost every day about something. I am seriously losing all compassion when he cries - its a problem. We have talked with him every day about self-control about self-discipline and about his selfishness. I oscillate between freaking out that we are doing something horribly wrong and assuring myself this is just his battle and every child has a battle and this is his. and then i freak out all over again. He is not excited about school starting at all. He told me he wants to be homeschooled (because his best friend Asher is homeschooled and told him he only has school for 3 hours a day)  I told Bryson if he didn't argue/whine/cry about homework for 2 months I would consider it...not holding my breath though...

Bodie O!!!
The Awesome - Bodie is my little cuddle bug. Although he usually picks times right after I punish Bryson for something to come cuddle me (stinker) He is always trying to show affection. He has such a great heart. I love having at least one kid that lets me love on them and can hang out and not squirm everywhere - hugging bryson and bobby is akin to hugging an eel...true story. 

The No-So-Awesome - Bodie is lying. Like lying lying. Like all day long lying. I remember my mom telling me that this is a totally normal thing for 4/5 but I can't remember Bryson doing it to this extent...but maybe that is also selective amnesia...but the lying and the not listening are really wearing on me. It is super hard for me to stay mad at this kid - but these days he is successfully doing that to me. We will get through this. This too shall pass...repeat that phrase 100x and you have the mantra playing in my head on a daily basis.