Remind me again why I was looking forward to summer vacation...

Let's see - the last day of school was June 15, so it's been summer vacation for all of less than two weeks.

I suppose I should be grateful for getting through 4 years without much sibling rivalry to speak of. And the kids can peacefully co-exist at times. But at other times, arrrggghhh! Now I know how my mother must have felt (there Mom, you got your wish!). Alyssa is constantly on Brendan's case about something. And she does it in her high-pitched, annoying voice. And every other word out of her mouth is "BRENDAN!". Of course, he's not little Mr. Innocent. He does annoying things - like probably every other 4 year old little brother in the history of the world. And he also pinches. And hits. So I guess they're both to blame. And also both justified. Is it September yet?

Oh yeah, it's a new law in Michigan that school can't start until after Labor Day. So I guess I should ask - is it September 5th yet?

As another consequence of summer, we have attracted the little boy who lives two houses down from us. He is The Most Annoying Kid On The Face Of The Earth. But that's too long of a name, so I'll just call him Nemo (that's not his name, but both kids have mistakenly called him that at one time or another). He invites himself over any time he pleases. I don't care if he plays here, but the rule is, everyone has to stay in the backyard. Brendan is too young to be traipsing all over the neighborhood and I can't (nor do I want to) be outside to watch them all the time. But Nemo is hell bent on getting into our house for some reason. I think it's to get his hands on the toys. Or maybe he's just nosey. He asked Jeff the other day if he could come in the house. Jeff knows I don't want them running wild in the house, especially when it's a perfectly good summer day, but he asked him why. "Oh, just to check something", he said. Hmmm.... I don't think so Nemo.

Now come September (5th or later), I'm going to have to come back and read this post when I have to go back to getting everyone up and out the door by 8 a.m. But at least I'll have 7 hours per day of not hearing "BRENDAN!". Unless, of course, I'm the one saying it.