My Boy is Living with us now.

Kyle is 12 now. He had his birthday in Oakland, at his moms house. Then two days later he hopped onto a plane and flew to us. He is here.

I have not been away from him long enough to not know him but somehow, I forgot that and have been expecting him to start acting really strangely. But he is just twelve and not some odd monster.

Sure I was a twelve year old boy once so, why be scared. He is a different breed of twelve than I was, and the world is a different place than it was in 1983. Video games are more realistic and graphic, there is more swearing in music......... ( I have to say that I was turned off by the macho posing, swearing, and attitude in some the rap songs I let him play for me. I have since reflected on those songs and what I used to listen to. I am starting to not see a problem. ) he is in middle school and for me, middle school and being twelve were an incredibly traumatic experience. I was so glad when it was over.

What I keep telling myself is that he is my son, the same one I have been caring for since birth, 12 will be no sweat.

There is a there, there.

I went down to Oakland this past weekend to hang out with my boy. I had planned to spend the day hiking in the Oakland hills, instead we spent our time socializing with friends.

We stopped by our old house and found that it had been sold again, and the previously lush front garden had been reduced then covered with rocks.

The tangerine tree, that DW planted when she was pregnant with the girl, was covered with tangerines. The boy climbed the fence and picked a couple; I hope the new owners don't mind.