The interestingly complex relationship of brothers

I had a brother and sister growing up, meaning there were 2 girls and 1 boy. This made it so I never really grew up with an understanding of brotherly love. When I met Chris, he had two brothers and those three were forever driving me nuts with their wrestling and their bickering one second, high fiveing the next...but I figured it was just them. Nope. Apparently it's all brothers. Since Jax has gotten big enough to "pal around" with Bubba, I've had a world of education.

One minute, Jackson will run up and tackle Peyton. This results in Peyton punching Jackson, Jackson smacking Peyton, Peyton knocking Jackson over...you get the point. For the first couple of months, I nearly made my voice disappear by bellowing "CUT IT OUT YOU TWO!!!" I've since learned to save my voice and just ignore the rough housing...it's the way boys are. Because no sooner do I scream like a lunatic, the two of them are hugging or involved in some game that I didn't even notice was in their proximity. The fighting/loving/fighting/loving back and forth makes your head spin!

For instance, last night during an exceptionally loud session of the two of them doing what could only be described as a disturbing mix of the WWE, the UFC and Hong Kong Fooey all rolled in to one on each other...I did what any self respecting mother would do. I ran for my life upstairs to change my clothes and have two minutes of peace and quiet. I can hear in the distance the yells, screams, "STOP IT JACKSON!", whines, crash, boom! I throw my clothes on, temper flaring and head downstairs to confront the two maniacs in person. And I find this.

I found nothing broken, nothing (more than usual) out of place...I found the two best friends playing together quietly. I snuck up and snapped a couple of pictures...and then hell broke loose again. Peyton took the game back for his turn, Jackson whacked him upside the head, Peyton pushed him off the couch...and I went to hide for a few more minutes of quiet, hoping the angels from 5 minutes ago would return by the time I returned.

It's a back and forth life, but I know with the bond these two have they'll always be the best of friends.

And I will continue to never understand boys.