This blog is dedicated to Ben, the second Muhlestein son, and what he is doing lately. Ben is getting older and I see him entering his own world of friends and social activities. He is on the phone almost every day organizing playdates or chatting on the computer with his friends and playing online games.
He likes to question authority, although he does what he is told, he just wants to know why he should. He is my thinker and reader. He’ll finish a 700 page book in 3 days. He is taking piano on Thursdays and is in a Dungeons and Dragons group on Tuesdays.
One day I went to school with Ben all day to see what goes on in his life. I can’t believe how school has changed. So much more crammed in and less time to just be a kid. Writing reports on computers and absolutely no talking. It felt like military school and my bum hurt from sitting all day. They did have recess and I went out with Ben and a couple of girls to the sandbox (volleyball pit). They caught a frog and I helped them make a obstacle course for the frog. A gang of giggly sixth grade girls kept whinning at us to let the frog go and that we were “hurting” it. They even told on us to the teachers! Hey, I’m 
an adult here! After the third time of bugging us I told them to leave and find something to do and worry about themselves. Sheesh… let the kids just be kids. I can just see those girls growing up too fast and ending up wishing they didn’t. I’m just glad I never grew up. Don’t grow up too fast Ben…”Don’t worry mom, I won’t”
Hasn’t Ben always been grown up? In the good way. Those girls have no idea what grown-up is.