Report card day and musings on my kids

Well, today marks the end of the semester and the beginning of winter break. Forgive me if I am less than overjoyed. I mean, I love my kids to death and all, but being with them 24/7 until January 2? Not exactly my idea of a "vacation", if you know what I mean. It wouldn't be so bad if the boys weren't... well.. BOYS. They fight nonstop. I mean that literally. Every waking moment that they are in the same vicinity is another cause for arguments between them. I know it's just a "brother thing" but it is SO frustrating! Maybe I will just lock myself in my room for the next 2 weeks. Or run screaming naked into the streets. (Wouldn't my neighbors just LOVE that!)
Anyway, report cards came home today and I am pleased to announce (well, brag) that I AM doing something right as a parent! A came in with 6 A's and 4 B's, along with a lovely note from his gifted class teacher saying what a great kid and hard worker he is. I'm so glad they moved him to the gifted class, he seems so much happier with school now. D's card contained all EP's, which means "expected progress". Similar to an A or a B. His school doesn't give A's and B's, they give EP's and NH's (needs help). Basically "pass or fail", but I choose to see it as straight A's, so there! And I better brag on him and say his teacher did tell me recently he is doing great in the advanced reading groups!
They both are actually really great kids, don't let my above sarcasm fool you. I remember when I was younger annoying the hell out of my mom and dad by fighting with my sisters, so I am pretty confident it will pass. Someday. It's funny how alike they are, yet how different at the same time. A is quiet, serious, analytical, sometimes a bit dark and brooding. He is alot like me. D is confident, easygoing, friendly, outgoing, and loud. He ALWAYS needs to be making noise. He's also a total mama's boy, which I LOVE. And yet they have so many similar interests, like baseball, pokemon cards, and they like all of the same tv shows. And then there's K. She's the princess, and she knows it! She is all girl, a nice departure from the rough-and-tumble boys. She'll still rumble with the best of 'em, and she loves to wrestle on the floor with D. But she has a girly side, she loves to play dress-up and wear her tutu and beads, and carry around her Little Mermaid purse acting all prissy. Tea parties are a favorite right now, and I secretly enjoy acting like a girly girl with her. D is her "best fwend", it is so cute! A merely tolerates her at the moment, and she annoys them both by getting into their stuff on a daily basis. Such is the life of an 8 and 10 year old boy and a 2 year old girl... I am hoping that someday (soon? please?) they will be like my sisters and I are now, the best of friends and getting along great. I can hope, can't I?