A Little Man...

Michael is out of school this two weeks for Spring break. I have loved having him around. He is such a fun friend for me to have around, a great playmate with his sisters, and a loving presence in our home.

Being around him all day every day this week has really made me realize what a big kid he is becoming. Where is the time going? He has just a few of the endearing "little boy" traits (sleeping with his "swingy bingy" monkey, an occasional nose picking :), needing me to tie his shoes...) that I am hanging on. But he has become so independent and self-assured. It is an amazing process.


Earlier this week I had to keep getting on Michael about playing music on our iTunes on the computer. "The computer is not a toy" I kept telling him. Finally he told me that "I just like music so much, I just want to listen to so many of my favorite songs!"

So we sat down together to make him a CD. I was a little shocked when he told me exactly which playlists to go to and which songs he wanted. "On 'Amy's favorites,' I like number 6 and 14. On 'Workout' I like 23..." and on and on it went until we had about 25 of his favorites.

His choices startled me as well. He picked quite a few "Paul" songs... ifyaknowhatImean--Weezer, Killers, and even a Rancid (YIKES... luckily it was a mild one...). There was Cake, Gorillaz, and Avril Lavigne. The "boy songs" from High School Musical, of course, and a few classic Michael Jackson and Beach Boys.

He has been happily listening to his CD ever since. He is so proud of it. And I am enjoying it with him. As long as I can repress the "turn it down" tendencies that start creeping up!

Then this exchange happened today when he was going across the street to play with his best friends, the Rowleys:

Me: "Remember to be a good friend, Michael."

Michael: "Okay, mom. And remember to be a good mom to the girls."
(pause... turn back)
"And help them to do things that are good."
(walk forward a bit. stop. turn back)
"And I want you to tell me all about it when I get back."

Me: "Okay, Michael. I love you."

Michael: "I love you, too."
(run forward. stop at the sidewalk. look both ways over and over and over as he runs across the street. stop at the sidewalk. look back and smile and wave. run to the front door without looking back again)

And so it is happening. My little boy is turning into a little man day by day. And my girls are growing so fast. Time is flying by. It feels like I am still a newlywed. Still a new mom. When did we finish medical school? And are we really buying a house? And where are these gray hairs coming from?

And does this post make me sound old??

Oh, man. I think it does.