I have an 8 year old!

"Children have the unforgivable habit of growing up" - Bjarne Reuter

My kids are growing up way too fast. Every parent says this and means it. Cliche', yes...but very true.  It is the inevitable truth about parenthood...and life. I cannot believe my baby boy is a year older! Where did the time go?! What were we doing to make one year go by so fast. Hell, two years, five years, eight years!...in two short years I will be adding ten years to that. Oh my!

 My son turned 8 a few weeks ago.  I have spent a lot of time these past few weeks watching Colin. Studying his personality. Focusing on what has changed over the years and what has remained. Overall, we have been so lucky to have our first child be so easy. Colin never had an ounce of the "terrible" anythings. His only real temper tantrum was when he was 5 and after he saw his little sister do one. I remember telling him. "uh, no! You have made it this far without doing that, you are not starting now" and that was that. Not that he does not have his "things". He is exceptionally good at finding loop holes and arguing. Like where he catches me all the time with a good argument. It is very painful to be schooled by a kid. I learned I had to be on guard with him. He is such a negotiator, which is both equally impressive and irritating.  Threats and stuff will not always work with Colin. Sometimes. He is one that needs it explained why he should do or not do something. The logic.  So his most difficult years have been lately. Not that he is difficult. He just talks a lot. Like. A. Lot. My mom says as a kid, I still have him beat, but I do not know. He questions everything, which can be very tiring for the parent. But...he is such a happy kid. A kind kid. I mean everyone is his friend. He has a very strong conviction for justice and being fair. I love his positive outlook and his loving nature. I hope. I pray that he does not lose that as many can when they get older and see the world for more of what it actually is. It can be difficult to keep that innocence of youth. That blind trust that all is OK and everyone is nice. When I think on Colin, I often find myself hearing that song from my youth about "I hope you dance". I truly hope that Colin does not "lose his sense of wonder" and that he continues to dance. His spirit is just so sweet and genuine. It motivates me to be a better person. I want him to be able to look at me and see that people can be kind to everyone and to live to try and send love out. Not negative. 

It is a work in progress, but one that I hope I can succeed in for my little baby boy. The one who is growing up way too fast for this mama.

I drew him some surprise Batman drawings. This is what he woke up to on his birthday.

"It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it myself. " - Joyce Maynard

~ Love, Hugs &; Kisses ~ The B Family