My big boys

Yesterday I went outside to check on the kids and found all of them (even Ruby--Sally had taken her out) sitting on the curb. I told them I didn't think that was a very good place to play especially since there were little kids with them. They all said okay, I brought Ruby in and continued fixing dinner, assuming they had all moved on to a new location to play. Well, about 20 minutes later a man came to the door, I figured some salesperson since I didn't know who he was. Well, I opened the door and he said, "I just thought you would want to know that your boys are out by the street throwing rocks at cars." I think my chin hit the ground and I politely thanked him. I began hunting down my boys, I was a woman on a mission. I was in the backyard yelling their names and up pops Ben from behind the tiered flower beds. I asked where Jake was and he said he didn't know. We finally found Jake and I explained in my calm yelling voice (is there really such a thing?) that they were in some serious trouble. Jake says, "But Dad did stuff like this all the time!" They have heard many of their Dad's youthful escapades, but none included throwing rocks at cars. I told them as much, and also included that their Dad had also said he was very lucky no one ever did get hurt and that some of the things they did weren't very smart. Jake seems to have conveniently forgotten that part of the story. Then they both proceeded to tell me that it was all just innocent. I asked them, "If it was all just innocent as you claim, why did you feel the need to run as soon as a car stopped?" SILENCE... I seriously couldn't believe MY boys were doing something so awful. I kept thinking, where did my sweet little boys go and could they please come back? I am not ready for this "stage" and just pray it doesn't last too long. My hair is already grey enough, I can't take it! I have told Brian I take no responsibility after they turn 13, they are all his, but I am thinking I need to lower the age a bit. Holy Cow!! I have never had to "ground" my boys, but it happened this week. A monumental point in our lives of the not so good kind. I have a good friend in NY who told me, "Kids are so cute when they are little, you just want to eat them up. And then when they grow up, you wish you had!" One of those days!