October...

Where did the year go? Man, time seems to be flying right on by.

Joseph's birthday party was this weekend. I was a little disappointed that only 2 of his friends showed up. There were even quite a few family members missing from the party. Even so, Joseph had a great time. We just did a simple party outside at our church. There's a playground and huge picnic tables under huge shade trees. The ice cream melted by the time we got to the cake so everyone got milkshakes instead of a scoop, but you know what? I think the "milkshakes" were a much bigger hit even if they were done by mistake.

I now have a 10 year old. That sounds so odd to say. Ten. Double digits. Whoa, duuuuuude. But when I stop to think about it, Joseph has never really had the mindset of a child anyway. He has always preferred the company of adults over other children, and he is sometimes far too smart for his own good. Maybe it is because I have never talked baby talk to my kids. Maybe it is because I have always used big words and treated them with the same respect that I would any adult. Who knows. I know that kids are supposed to be allowed to be kids, and believe me, mine are definitely kids and ALL boy. But kids are smart, too. I honestly hope that the values that I have not only taught but also demonstrated will make an impact on them as they grow up.

Every one of my boys are different and have to be dealt with differently. Joseph has to be treated like a mini-adult and be made to take responsibility for his actions and decisions, whether good or bad, otherwise he gets totally unreasonable. He likes to be entertained and talked to. Benji and Dillon are buddies for the most part. They play great together. Put all three in the same room and someone is going to be crying in under 5 minutes. Benjamin is more sensitive and discipline has to be much softer with him. He doesn't like to talk about how he feels and gets his feelings hurt many, many times a day. He fits the middle-child description so well, always here or there but never right up front. Dillon just honestly does not care what goes on. He can be disciplined with a simple "no" and usually does nothing more than growl once or twice to let you know that you've made him mad. If it bothers him too much, he pops his thumb in his mouth, grabs his blankie, and retreats to somewhere quiet. Usually five minutes later, he's over it and back to doing something else. In case you're wondering, Ben is almost 8 (22 days) and Dillon is 5.

That reminds me. Only 30 days until Halloween! The most wonderful day of the year! I love the smells and sights of fall so much. And I love Halloween so much more than any other holiday. I would move to a place that had fall all year round. Seriously. If there is such a place, please tell me. I'll start packing my bags tomorrow. I love fall that much.