Argh!

How do you go from having a fun evening of playing board games to having 2 boys who are throwing punches and screaming at each other? And how do you get over the guilt that I as a mom feel for not quitting playing 30 minutes earlier? We hardly ever play board games but tonight Son2 and I decided to play. He trounced me thoroughly on the first game we played (Rummikub) and then we decided to play Pente. I beat him on that game. Then Son1 comes home from praise team practice and wants to join in. So we play a couple more rounds - of which both boys win 1 each - with Son2 winning last. During clean-up Son2 drops some of the stones into the "wrong" bag - mixing colors. Son1 gets mad and starts throwing punches which of course are returned. Consequences at the moment are that neither boy will be allowed to stay home tomorrow when I have places to go...And somehow I have to figure out how to get kids to bed when it's still light outside!

Torn

Ok....so now I'm really torn. Son1 came to the bus this afternoon and said "go ahead and come to the meet" - after earlier saying he really didn't care if we came or not. I would have loved to drop everything and go - or at least be able to go immediately after my bus route. However Son2 - who had issues with overheating yesterday - and who does not cope well with sudden changes in plans - insisted it's too hot to go. So thankfully I was able to get a message to Son1 that we would not be there so at least we weren't "no-shows" without any message. However I'm torn - I really enjoy going to track meets and getting to cheer the team - and my son on. However this one was an hour drive away so we would have missed part of the meet at least - as I wasn't even able to leave to go until 4:30. And with my fatigue already from yesterday, gas prices being as high as they are and end of school year expenses...part of me says it's better to stay home. Plus that means - that in spite of it being hot - I can cook a meal rather than us having to eat out. But it breaks my heart to not be able to go see him run.