Homeschool Prom

Yesterday I mentioned not really pulling any April Fool's Day pranks for the past few years. Apparently, I forgot about last year. This was classic - to John and me, not really the boys so much.

It was a Sunday morning and the boys were sleeping in. We got them up and had them come upstairs fairly soon so they wouldn't have time to realize what day it was. I proceeded to tell them that since we were nearing the end of our homeschool journey and we didn't want them to feel like they'd missed out on anything, we were going to plan a Homeschool Prom. A little back story here - the boys haven't had any interest in girls or dancing or anything remotely prom related. So already this sounds pretty horrible.

I went on to let them know that planning and decorating would be part of their school since we had a month or more to put it together. We'd hold it in the garage. John has a stereo out there, so no problem for the music. There's a refrigerator, so we could set up a table with refreshments. There's plenty of room to dance. They know more homeschooled boys than girls, so in order to even that out, I said we could invite some girls from the bowling league.

I went on and on about the entire event and at one point, I heard Zach quietly saying, "No thank you," repeatedly.

Caleb eventually figured out what day it was and what was going on. Shortly after that, I let Zach know, too. Oh, I also let him know that I'd been recording it - first on audio, then video. I think he said something about how mean I was. Really, Zach? I offered to let him wear shorts with his tie and jacket.

So apparently I'm not quite as nice as I thought yesterday. John and I thought it was rather funny, though. Caleb remained fairly calm, though I doubt he wanted to see it actually happen. Zach, on the other hand...he had much more of a reaction. But I think he was pretty relieved to find out it wasn't real.

And no, I'm not sharing the audio or the video. The boys will thank me for that.

A Clean Room

My son cleaned his room last week.

That might not sound like much, but we're talking about the best cleaning he's ever done in his entire 17-year-old life. It was actually an answer to a very frustrated mom's short and spontaneous prayer. He not only cleaned up, he went through EVERYTHING in his room. This is the kid who has had an emotional attachment to anything and everything he's ever owned, along with his various collections (pop bottle caps, Bazooka Joe bubble gum wrappers, rocks, etc.). Getting him to let go of things has been next to impossible.

But somehow, now that he's 17, he's realized that he would like the space more than the stuff that doesn't hold any value any more. He probably got rid of 80% or more of his belongings. I hung out with him the entire day, offering encouragement or answers when he wanted them, never once playing the mom card ("See, now isn't that better?", "You should just get rid of that." "You never play with that anyway.", "Are you really going to keep that?!?"). I just asked him questions and let him make all of his own decisions. If he wanted input, I merely presented options and left him to decide.

While it wasn't intended, he actually ended up with a new bed, mattress, pillow, and bedding. And guess what? He sleeps better and more comfortably. Not only that, he enjoys being in his room now. He has desk where he can play cards, tinker with things, clean his rifle, or whatever else he wants to do. The cat loves to come hang out with him while he lays on his bed reading or listening to music. There is actually open floor space. It is nothing short of a miracle.

And even though eight days have passed, it's still in great shape.

And there was much rejoicing!

I offered that we could paint his room, but he said, "no." So it's still white.

And we still have Navy blue black-out curtains to hang over that window. One of these days.