Smart Ass! I almost spit my soda out.

Ok so they got home and everyone is in one piece. I can honestly say that this has probably been the greatest accomplishment from a parenting standpoint that I personally have had. I am very glad that I let him go. He came back with a gleam in his eye that any parent wishes for their child. The spark of a new experience has done wonders for him. On his way back he called me to say that after watching all the cool boats he would like to buy and install a stereo for Bebo's boat before he gets home on Wednesday (Bebo's B-day was last Wed).

What impressed me most was not only the willingness to buy the stereo but the effort that it would take to install it in such a hurried manner. The money that Brandon planned on spending would come from what he has been saving to buy a mountain bike for himself. 

So far so good. 

Update - We are doing well so far. He has called me a couple of times to say everything is cool. Right now he is BBQing. Damn, I should have gone too!

Well its playing out right now, and it seems to be going well.
In my conversation with the other kids dad, he told me that the only reason that his son is being allowed to go is because my son is going. He said that he can see that Brandon is responsible and can handle himself. Its nice to hear that from someone else. I guess sometimes I cant see the forrest for the trees.

In our discussion/presentation last night, I think that Brandon finally understood where I am coming from. Like I said before, I could let him pull a boat by himself to the river and handle the boat no problem. Thats not the issue. Its the social aspect and being able to stand your ground when you know that either something is not right and speak up, or when you know you shouldn't be doing something.

I know we all dealt with the last one as younguns, but that is his kryponite.

X10. Surprised you are even asking.

By the way, I am letting my son go to Bullhead this weekend with his buddies. So if it makes it easier for anyone, I could even have him and his buddies deliver them out there or somewhere fairly close.

Forgot the pics.

I will post up the window sizes shortly. I have about 13.

So I am converting a couple office suites into a dental office. I am removing base and upper cabinets, interior windows and 8' tall solid core doors w/ frames, locksets and hinges. One set of base cabinets has a stainless steel sink w/ garbage disposal and a granite countertop (see pic). The uppers are 50" tall cuz they were in a 9' ceiling. The

Thats the part we struggle with. The honesty. I would not have such a problem  if I could believe a lot more of what he says. Or not be left with the feeling that he didn't lie, but did not tell me the whole story. Trust me, we don't have him on the nipple. After my wifes surgery 2 weeks ago, he drove my crewcab F350 pulling a 26' trailer with the rest of my family to central cal at night. He can totally handle himself.
It is the fact that at times he doesnt seem to be able to be himself and not follow the crowd.

Austin - first off much respect for serving our country. Secondly, you are right, I did ask. No hurt feelings here.

GT - Thats the whole thing. Who he is going with. When I was 18 my dad let me borrow his car, and take 2 of my 16 year old buddies to Glamis for 3 days.  The difference is I had a lot more respect from my dad for my level of truthfullnes. Not saying I was always truthfull, who is? But I never wanted to let my dad down, not that my son intends to. But the parents of the other kids even wrote emergency medical notes. I promised my dad no beer and stuck to it! I never in my life had to sneek out of the house because if I was going to get drunk, even at 18 I would let my dad know how I was getting home or where I was staying. Just a matter of respect for him.

I think I will probably let him go, but let him know what he stands to lose by way of respect.

Sorry for the soapbox

Desert bonfire! Problem solved.

How old were you and your friends when you first went to the lake/river with your friends and no parents?  This issue is rearing its ugly head at my house. This is going to be a 3 day deal. I think at Havasu. Things have changed a lot since I first went.