Big week for one little girl

All at once, my little girl is becoming less little.

I know it's been said a million times over that time goes so fast - but really? This is a bit too fast for me. It's as though I'm holding my newborn, I blink and I've got a big girl graduating from kindergarten. I'm afraid to blink again because then she'll be a young lady graduating from high school. I wish so badly I could push the "slow motion" button on life and have my little ones stay little for just a bit longer. I miss every stage that has passed - sure, there are days that seem never to end where I finish the day exhausted and overwhelmed - but then there are those days full of such sweetness and cuteness and cuddles and hugs and tickles and funny words and sayings and adventures and excitement and learning and pretending - yes, those are the days I just want to last forever!! Has anyone figured out a way to bottle those days up and pull them out to enjoy again and again in the future? Please, do tell. I miss these days:





There have been some recent events that have invited such an emotional response on my part, as I've been forced to realize just how quickly my Kylee-girl is growing up. First of all, as I mentioned already, she graduated from kindergarten. We got to enjoy the end of school production and picnic and celebrate her accomplishments, but still the day came by surprise. I got in the car for the last time in Kylee's kindergarten year to pick her up from school and suddenly tears formed in my eyes. Where they came from is beyond me, but once they came they didn't want to go away. All these visions of my little girl came to my mind and I grieved the stages gone by. Then, a slender girl with long auburn pigtails and big blue eyes skipped towards my van with a heavy back pack weighing on her shoulders. No more 2 year old with curly cues and chubby cheeks, sigh.

In addition, she has been working extremely hard at her gymnastics, both at home and in the gym. Last week she had try outs for Level 3 team at her gym. She wanted to try out and "make team" so very badly, but I was hesitant. First of all, if she were to make it, it's quite the commitment, but I also did not want my little girl to set her heart on something that she may or may not be able to achieve - there are a lot of little girls in the gym with big dreams!! In the end, Jim and I decided to let her try out, and, as she predicted and worked so hard for, she made team. I am so very proud of her determination and hard work!! All this practice paid off:

All these big accomplishments in the life of one little girl, my little girl.
Growing up, so fast.

Then there were boys

I used to think "cleaning toilets" was an occasional swirl of the toilet bowl with a scrubber and some chemicals... then there were boys who have taught me that "cleaning toilets" needs to be done every single day and involves almost every surrounding area BUT the toilet bowl.

I used to hear "dressing up" and picture sweet little girls in pretty princess attire, complete with crowns and all sorts of jewelry and accessories... then there were boys who have shown me that "dressing up" is just as much for boys as for girls, only they are donning super hero costumes and sports uniforms, complete with swords, helmets, masks and capes. And, I must mention, their dress up costumes seem to "fly" rather than twirl.

I used to be able to use a short video in the morning so the kids would be entertained while I got myself ready for the day... then there were boys, who want to do everything under the sun except sit still for more than 30 seconds at a time.

I used to use stain remover only a few times a year while doing laundry... then there were boys, who have created the need for me to research every stain removing technique in history!

I used to believe that beds were for sleeping in... then there were boys, who have demonstrated the multiple purposes of beds - climbing, jumping, used as boats, pirate ships, Noah's ark and bridges, to name a few.

I used to think that balls were only for outdoor use... but then there were boys, and I find myself constantly dodging balls as the fly past me indoors, making their way to a basket hoop, bowling pins, or another little boy with a mischievous grin.

I used to believe I knew the uses of rubber bands, paper, sticks and rocks... then there were boys, who have showed me just how many things can be made, created or imagined with aforementioned items.

I used to think that my role as Mom was to always stick up for and defend my little ones... then there were boys, who I have learned (the hard way) sometimes need to stick up for and defend themselves.

I used to believe that not exposing my kids to guns would keep them from knowing what they were and from being violent... then there were boys, who can turn anything and everything into a gun for shooting.

I used to enjoy the sounds of a quiet, peaceful home... then there were boys, and I no longer can remember what, exactly, that even sounded like. Nor do I believe I want to.

I used to think that only little girls could be full of such sweetness and tenderness that my heart would melt... then there were my boys and... I was wrong.