Okay, someone really said it's okay to brag... and I can take the time to brag about all of them -- the whole horde!!... OOOOhh Thank You...

Julienne who is almost sixteen and somehow still unconciously gorgeous. Loves to be around people and manages to convince most grown ups that she enjoys their company as well. And after squeaking through Freshman year with 60 illness days in the second semester ( We don't discuss Doctors who lack common sense) She's on track with 90+ averages across the board this fall. Working at a Score Center tutoring and only annoyingly parenting her brothers part of the time.

First Son (13) is the one "blessed" with mom's empathy genes and I know it's been a mixed blessing as he goes through middle school. But he seems to drop into any crowd and do okay. He moves up and down social and racial divides in a amazingly uncalculated way. Course this means at times you find a group has formed in a record breaking time and a little parental reconaissance is in order. This is a kid with good but not outstanding soccer skills who can go into a nationally ranked camp and come out with an age group award for round robin tornament play. Why? cause he instictively knows how to assist each team mate to play better and get the team win, even when the team mates change every day.

Middle Middle son, this child is so smart it's scary sometimes. Keeping half a step ahead at least till he gets out of high school is my current goal. He plays hard and fair. And despite the fact that he seems destined to be the smallest of the bunch he'll try any sport hard and smart. Holds his own on stats, history and standings on most any team any adult has tried him on... and please don't start him on the advisability of any trading prospects... This fall as he started middle school a counselor approached me to say a new transfer with an inner city background had transfered in and Ben had been assigned to help. He hadn't been too sure if the kid would make it..(didn't want to be there, wasn't prepared, etc...) But two weeks later every thing was looking prettty good and as far as he was concerned it was Ben's doing...

Youngest son definately a keeper. Kid gets perserverance awards time after time. In a family of overachievers he tailed in with processing problems and motor development issues. He is not going to be left behind and stands up to all of them to get his rights. He's my song and dance man even if I don't always agree with his taste. Last year we began homeschooling after two horrid years and and made up all the lost time in one year. And to big brothers horror, he's on track for the family height record.

All in all we have our days.... but I wouldn't trade any of 'em...