There are different kinds of "firsts"

This is one of those "firsts" I could have wished to avoid.  It had to happen eventually.

I have been frustrated, overly tired, exasperated and even annoyed at Xander before- but he is a good, good kid, and I almost immediately realize that from his world-view, he is just trying to communicate and act the best way he can.  It is hard to be upset at him for more than the moment.

Today though, I admit it, I got honestly angry for the first time.  Xander somehow got a sharpee and in the time it took for me to write an email replying to a career prospect, one that I was so excited about I "just couldn't wait" on, he did serious damage to my custom staircase.

Luckily, rubbing alcohol has taken most of the ink off, and the rest we'll be able to salvage with some sandpaper and new varnish.  Xander spent 10 minutes in time-out while I cleaned (and cried)...probably too long for someone his age, but it was really more for me than him.

I did get a photo of some of the damage - you'll have to excuse the poor photography on this one- for obvious reasons, I wasn't going to spend any extra time on the photo composition or focus.

On the bright side, I think Xander is starting to like art projects more.