Teenage boys aren't what they used to be. At least not around here.

Twenty years ago (has it really been that long!?!), it seemed that all teenaged boys did was flex their muscles, say really stupid stuff, and wonder where the party was. Oh. And they drooled over every girl who passed them by. Except me.

It wasn't that they snubbed me. They just always viewed me as, "one of the guys". Until several years ago, my closest friends were usually dudes. Sometimes they were even straight. Now that I'm married, having best guy friends doesn't seem like such a great idea. You know. Appearances and all.

About a week ago, Collin had his best friends over to spend the night. There were five of them all told. I wasn't sure how crazy things would get, but I was ready to open the spare can of Whoop-Ass I keep in the pantry. Lucky for them me, it's still there.

See, back in the day, I was hanging out with public and private school guys. They had reps to protect. Images to maintain. Everything about who they were that mattered was on the outside. They were wild. They took ridiculous risks. Things moved fast and hard.

The boys who invaded my house last week are all homeschooled. Everything about who they are that matters is on the inside. They're awesome guys. Conversations that night ranged from the trips they're taking this summer, to famous military battles, to the origins of the species. They discussed and shared their favorite books, as well as their favorite video games. No one snuck cigarettes or booze into my house... although I did have to quash their hopes of playing "M" rated Halo. They watched Monty Python and played Guitar Hero and woke up extra early to get in a game of Dungeons and Dragons before breakfast. And each one of them had a wonderful time. They told me so. Repeatedly.

The best part? They let me hang out with them. I didn't invade their entire evening or anything, but my son and his friends were glad to have me around. I guess I've still got it... just one of the guys. This time, though, I'm totally honored!

So no... teenage boys aren't what they used to be. At least not around here. And this homeschoolin' momma couldn't be happier.