Falsely accused

***Warning*** This entry contains graphic content. View at your own risk.

Last week John went on a three day, 6th grade field trip to Camp Campbell Gard. He had a great time! They pretended that they were run-away slaves in the underground railroad. What a neat and fun experience. We all missed him. I didn't even get to talk to him on the phone. I think he missed us too....even Anna (he confided in me on the ride home). He really is a great brother.
John is the one in the middle...of everything! Not only is he the middle brother, but most of the time you will find him in the middle of it all. He's the one everyone else goes to to play with. He's is a gamer - always up for whatever. He's smart, quick witted and sensitive all wrapped up in one great package. John rarely flies under the radar. He's wide-open, always ready with a comment or geared up for an argument - even when warned to keep quiet. He will defend his point, even if there isn't one. You have to admire him. I know one day all these traits will serve him well. Unfortunately, at the ripe ol' age of 11, he hasn't honed those skills yet. When things get broken or an argument breaks out or odd things disappear....I usually assume that John is culprit. And 9.9999 out 10 times....I'm right on the money. So of course, when I noticed a big booger flicked on the bathroom ceiling...I naturally thought of John. He did his normal little "song and dance" routine and I never got a full confession out of him. Without a DNA sample (don't think I didn't threaten it), I had to drop my case and believe his sob story. But sometimes, when my crystal ball isn't working properly, I've been known to occasionally be wrong. So while the defendant was on his camping trip with an airtight alibi, you'll understand my shock and horror at my findings while making up Anna's bed. There, in my sweet little girls room, the missing "dried" evidence. On her white ruffled pillow cases, her lavender wall, and even on her pink doll house....more dried boogers! No denying it....the evidence was crystal clear! What could I say? I confronted Anna (who sang like a canary) and prepared myself to eat crow when John returned. Sometimes we parents have to admit when we make mistakes and that's exactly what I did. John was gracious and forgiving and with his sly smile said..."it was Anna, right?"
He's gonna make a great lawyer someday.

Exhibit A