nine year old boys

I am alone in the house with two very excited pre-pubescent boys right now. They are both lovely people, brilliant, quirky and provide excellent blog fodder.

I was privy to the following conversation on our walk home:

N. (my son's friend): "I'm trying to grow a goatee (strokes his chin and thrusts it forward). How am I doing?"

S.: "I am growing a ponytail. It's been a really long time since I had a hair cut. My hair is so long I need to brush it almost every day and wash it once a week."

Honestly, I have to remind this child (several times) to use soap when he bathes, and he still doesn't always remember.

I can't wait to see what these kids are like as teenagers.