put up your dukes...

I use to have a poodle named Muffin.
Cameron reminds me of Muffin.
Muffin was not afraid of any other dogs. If a big German Shepherd came by, Muffin would bark and bark and let the shepherd know who was boss.
When Cameron was in 3rd grade he got in-school suspension for fighting for a 5th grader - he claimed to be sticking up for a friend - he wasn't scared (even though he came home with a bloody lip - which is the ONLY reason I even found out about it!).
Yesterday my friend called to see what Cameron had to say about his walk home. The answer, like always, was NOTHING. (Cameron has learned to never tattle - it has never worked to his advantage!). I called Cameron in to have him tell me about his walk home from school.
Me - how was your walk home?
C - (smiling - he always smiles when he is going to lie) well, there was this one kid who was swearing - he even said the "f" word (which Cameron now knows isn't "fart" - how sad!)
Me - did you get into a fight?
C - well, ya, kinda
Me - what kind of fight?
C - (showing me his best punching moves)
Me - (trying hard to not laugh) did you get hurt?
C - well, it is kinda hard to hurt me. I drink lots of milk.
Me - (really close to loosing the laughing battle) did you hurt him?
C - I don't think he is going to admit that.

Time to take a little break in the conversation. Cameron was 4 pounds when he was born - he is totally proud of this. He is now in 5th grade and weighs 66 pounds (soaking wet) and he is proud of this as well. Here he is displaying his muscles...We talked a little more about this brat kid and apparently he has been bullying the kids on the way home for a little while now (he also enjoys decorating the fences with a sharpie and some choice words). I explained to Cameron that hitting wasn't any better than swearing - Cameron is sticking to his story (without a smile) that he was defending himself! I believe him. This is were Reagan (who out weighs Cameron by about 10 pounds) quickly hops into the conversation saying, "Cameron didn't defend me last week" when this same juvenile delinquent young man was "white washing" him (in case you are like me and don't know what "white washing" means...it is when someone tackles you and rubs your face into the snow)!I told Cameron that I was proud that he was sticking up for himself (because that is how I was raised - right dad - or did I get that wrong too??) and reminded him that you can use your words instead of your fists in most situations and YOU BETTER STICK UP FOR YOUR BROTHER NEXT TIME and...you might want to start doing a few push-ups before you go to bed each night!