Finally A Valid Reason For A Fight

The boys have been on summer vacation for about 24 days now. They average a fight/argument approximately every 15 minutes, and they are awake 14 hours per day. That's a lot of fights. Most causes of theses fights are just ridiculous. So I have several options. I can totally tune them out and make them work it out and hope it doesn't come to blows, or I can starting yelling at them to stop yelling. (I'm not a big fan of do as I say not as I do when it comes to kids, although I am guilty of it all the time.) Or I can be freaking Judge Judy all day and try to figure out who started it and who is at fault and dish out sentences for petty crimes all day. Or I can do what my mom did and make them sit in chairs facing each other two inches apart until they can say I'm sorry. I employ all these techniques depending on the situation, but hate that they can't just get along in the first place.

So my whole point in bringing this up is that I am happy to announce that finally last night I heard the first good reason all summer for an argument. We had a fun-filled day of swimming and resort fun and the kids where hungry and exhausted by the time we got back in the car to head home for the night. We picked up some take-out Chinese food and divided it up for the kids to eat on the way home. Jake has an enormous appetite lately and Dylan has eliminated all but about three foods now that he will eat. It is usually a pretty symbiotic relationship, because there is always ample seconds for Jake after DB has picked all the parts of his meal he doesn't like. So the following played out in the car last night: Jake scarfed down his portion and was still hungry. DB had rejected most of his meal so he willingly handed over his leftovers before I had a chance to see what he didn't eat. I was so impressed with the kind act for a few blissful seconds, then I heard the old familiar shriek from Jake, "DB!!! Did you chew up this chicken and spit it back out?!?!!?" It was dark in the car, he was going completely on trust. I rule in favor of Jake and sentence DB to an apology and going to bed hungry and one dollar for pain and suffering. Where's my gavel?

Wes and Sophie enjoy a ride down the "Lazy River" at the Pointe Squaw Peak Water Park. (Thanks Grandma Karla and Kacee for the invite!)

The pool had some excellent dancing music and Sophie was feeling the beat as she shows off some off her awesome dance moves at the pool.

A great shot of Kacee's trip down the water slide. (Thanks lightening fast camera shutter!)