Today was one of those errand/do things around the house kind of days.

The boys were able to enjoy the nice outdoor weather for the majority of the afternoon.  They have created their own game which involves sticks and duct tape and flashlights.  They tried to explain it to me, but I didn't get it.  Doesn't really matter.

We shopped for a while and got some food for meals for the upcoming week.  There were a lot of samples so the boys tried hummus (a no go), V-8 fusion (also a no go), and mozzarella sticks (who doesn't like these).  They want to make it our weekly routine to get samples and eat lunch there.  We'll see.

All in all a pretty good day.  The boys seemed to get along all day and Sophie got worn out playing outside with them.

Praises for the beautiful weather and for family.

 A couple of months ago I got Globetrotter tickets for our family on Groupon. 

I'll be honest.  I had NO DESIRE to go.

I'll admit....it was fun to watch the boys there, especially Younger Boy.  He had never seen them and to see pure joy on his face was priceless.

Middle Boy had seen them last year with his mentor so he wasn't quite as enamored, but he still laughed quite a bit.

We had a nice time.  Middle Boy drove us home and did a pretty good job of navigating the traffic leaving downtown.

It was a nice night.  I am glad I didn't cancel when I didn't feel like going.

Our dining room light fixture is not working at all.  Flip the switch...nothing.

I asked the boys what happened.  Our house is only a year old.

Allegedly sparks were shooting out of the fixture.  I asked if it was possible that all of the bulbs were burned out.  I wanted to try it before I call the builder.

No, there were sparks.  Middle Boy is POSITIVE.

I took apart the fixture (now I am being ridiculous) and changed the bulbs.  Voila...it works!

I am relatively certain there were never sparks.  Maybe one of the bulbs blew, but there were no sparks.

Again...I never believer anyone.

Tonight is therapy for Middle Boy. 

He doesn't like working on therapy homework.  It is HARD.  He doesn't like to think about things in his past and why he might be as angry as he is.  He would rather avoid it.

So...this afternoon after school Middle Boy cleaned our kitchen until it was SPOTLESS.  Cleaned out the cabinets, pantry, and refrigerator.

He must have been REALLY BORED.

He is still going to have to do the therapy homework, but he avoided it for today.

Yesterday I thought I was exhausted.  Yesterday was nothing compared to today.

After the lighter incident the whole remainder of the evening was kind of a downhill slide for Younger Boy.

When he is on a downhill slide he is the kind of kid who has to hit the bottom before he can turn it around and even then he needs to wallow at the bottom for a while sometimes.

He was basically throwing a toddler-like temper tantrum for the remainder of the evening.

He didn't like what we were having for dinner so he just threw his away and stood in the pantry talking about how no one loves him enough to make food for him that he likes.  Doesn't matter that just last week he said this was his "favorite meal ever".

He couldn't find the right kind of pen to do his homework.  He didn't have the right kind of paper.

Someone must have taken things out of his backpack.

Finally...I just put an end to it and had him take a shower and head for bed.

I sat in his room with him until he fell asleep.

Praying tomorrow is a better day.

After school today the boys were playing basketball out on the driveway.

Younger Boy went up for a shot and a lighter flew out of his pocket.  Middle Boy asked him what it was and he said, "a pen".  Middle Boy brought it in to me.

Here is how the discussion went:

Where did you get the lighter?

A friend dropped it in my pocket when I wasn't looking.

What is your friend's name?  I would like to call their parents and the school since they shouldn't have a lighter at school.

You can't call them.  They are moving tonight.

That's okay.  Most people transfer their phone number with them when they move.

I don't know his last name.

That's okay.  Just give me his first name I can probably figure it out.

I don't know his first name.

I thought he was your friend.

He is, but I don't know his name.

Do you know what he looks like?

Yes.

Then tomorrow I will go to school with you and you can point him out.  Then I can just find out his name from the teacher.

I found the lighter in the parking lot.

I thought a friend dropped it in your pocket.

Why doesn't anyone ever believe me?

End of conversation, because then there was crying and screaming and slamming.

Why doesn't anyone ever believe you?  Hmmm....I wonder.