Teens

Oh Teens.  What can I say?  They are funny and independent and keep things happening.  Here are a few examples:

Example #1
Parker won these lovely fish shoe things at the youth Christmas gift exchange on Wednesday.  He wore them to school on Friday and to the ward Christmas party Friday night.  They are seriously so ugly.  I think it is hilarious that he has really been sporting them around town.

I guess the are called "Fish Flops."  Genious!

Example #2

Tanner came home from school on Wednesday with a little red mark between his eyes which I didn't pay much attention to.  He then challenged me, "Mom, I bet I can make you forget your name."  Park was nearby and gave me the head shake, so I declined.  Aubrey, however, was all in...even with me and Parker suggesting that she not fall for it.

Tanner asked her to place her two knuckles on either side of her nose, gently squeeze and pull her fingers away 10 times.  He never got back to her forgetting her name but the results were instantaneous....

She now has a pretty large hickey mark right between her eyes.  We were cracking up.  She was freaking out a little bit.

She asked me how long I thought it might stay there.  My guess was at least five days.   She came home from school on Thursday much less concerned because tons of students had the exact same mark!  The joke is apparently circulating at more than one school in the Big O.

Day #2 with the hickey

Example #3 

Macaroni anyone?  Parker made and ate a full box as a side dish to go with his dinner on Sunday night. 

Example #4 of life with teens
Tanner's lunch.  I've given up the fight.  Two sandwiches, four water bottles, one gatorade, one tiny pack of mandarin oranges, Gardetto's, cookies, chips, two granola bars, two trail mixes.  Both boys constantly complain that we have no good snacks and they are starving.

We should be part owners in Sam's Club.  Feel free to come shop from our pantry when needed.  We accept donations as well.

(Tanner has a packed schedule and is burning tons of calories.  He goes to seminary at 6:00 am and then heads straight to basketball practice at 6:45.  Football off season is at 8:15.  Lunch comes eventually and then he has weight lifting after school.  I can see he needs some substance.  I just wish he would take some fresh fruits or veggies to add just a tiny bit of health to his diet.)

Example #5

Parker's closet stash from his own purchases and gifts given to him.  Two pound bag of Sour Patch Kids anyone?  What's a mom to do?

Example #6  (These examples are endless, but I will just end here.)

Ward Christmas party.  I love that Parker and Aubrey dressed up for the Ugly Sweater contest.  Park won...even though his are pajamas.

I also appreciate that Tanner may never choose to wear an ugly sweater/draw undue attention to himself.  He is more like his dad in that way.  He is looking pretty handsome here in his white hoodie though.

Sure love my teens.  (That one at BYU too.)