Nights

It was past 11:30, and I was heading to bed.  Park had hidden Tanner's phone.  Tanner was chasing him through the house and then searching everywhere to see where Parker stashed it.  Next thing I know, Tanner was tying Parker up.  (Parker had to give his consent.  He is 6'1" and 185 lbs.  There would be no tying him up without his cooperation.) 

They had air-soft guns out and had some sort of war after midnight the night before.  They were loud.  Apparently they were chasing each other through the house "pretending" they were going to shoot each other.  (Grrrr.  Airsoft guns are for outdoor use only.  They know they need to wear goggles as well.  I once again relocated them to my closet.)

Our house after 11:00 pm is a crazy place to be.

We do try to have them off of electronics by 10:30 or 11:00 each night.  I don't mind if they stay up late if they aren't staring at a screen.  

It is amazing to witness what happens when the electronics are put away.  

Brinley and the boys will talk and hang out.  They usually are going in their own directions during the day.  

This year Aubrey is old enough to join in with the big kids.  In the past, she has usually gone to bed earlier because she needed her sleep. 

Card games, board games, ping pong or air hockey will be played.  Photo albums and year books are browsed.  Often there is running and hiding and slamming of doors.  Sometimes the boys slip outside and get in a mile run.  

Between 11 pm-2 am on most nights, our house is a little crazy and loud.  

It's impressive that Brian and I are able to get any sleep.  We use a floor fan for white noise.  I also sleep in ear plugs.  It blocks out Brian's snoring and our noisy teens.

I am glad these four siblings are middle of the night friends.