...More signs he's growin' up!

Ok...I know these milestones are of no significance to anyone else, but I'm just having a really hard time lately dealing with the fact that my baby's not quite a baby anymore. From the loss of his pure innocence clear down to the soles of his big 'ole feet (clear back up to the height of a 7-year-old)... I'm just trying to treasure all the tiny details about everyday life. Everybody always says how fast their kids grow up and I'm beginning to realize what they're talking about. When Dyl was 2 then everything was about Elmo. We had all the movies and toys and everything ELMO! Since then I've gotten rid of everything Elmo except for a wall hanging I thought was cute and couldn't part with it. Yesterday Dyl took it off of his wall and put it in the garbage declaring, "Mom, Elmo is for babies." (Of course, I had to remove Elmo from the garbage can for one last photograph!) The other thing that made me realize Dyl's not so "little" anymore is this announcement he made tonight: "Hey, Mom...Look at me shake what my mama gave me...I've got some junk in my trunk!"

Holy Moly!

When I think about summer I think of relaxing, hot days at the pool, sunshades and suntans, BBQ's and fun camping adventures, etc, etc, etc...But the thing I'm most excited about this year is...da da da da...SHORTS! Summer canNOT come quickly enough! Since last fall I can't even begin to tell you how many pairs of jeans I've purchased for Dyl, only to discover holes in the knees shortly thereafter...And it's not like I buy cheap jeans, either! Oh well...Enjoy life, play hard, Dyl!

Brave as a bear...

I know I'm going to have a total meltdown when the first day of kindergarten arrives. Today was Dyl's 5-year-kindergarten check-up and it was harder on me that it was on him! Although I'm getting a little better I absolutely hate it when Dyl has to get shots. Before we got to the doctor's office I told Dyl he was going to have to be big and get some shots so he'd be healthy for kindergarten. "That's okay, Mom--I'm tough and it will only hurt for a minute." After Dyl's usual flirting with the cute nurse, all the little tests, pee in the cup, and exam.. it was TIME. In went 2 of the needles and Dyl let out a big "ouch" and did a great big squeeze on my hand--And I could tell it hurt like mad...But Dyl was so brave and didn't cry out one little peep! He was so proud of himself he wanted to rush right over to Aunt Leslie's house. "Hurry, Mom...I don't want the shots to disappear before she can see how brave I was!" Luckily, by time we made it to Lez's house the shot marks were still there. ...Just one little glimpse how tough it is to grow up. What a trooper!

Reflecting back on the day...

I know private nightly prayers shouldn't be published but I couldn't resist: "Thank you, Heavenly Father, for letting me go to my 2 schools today and play with my friends. I didn't kiss Hazel. Thank you for my hot date with Aunt Tracy at Red Robin's...The mac and cheese was yummy. Thank you for the hail that came down and hit me on the nose. And Heavenly Father, thank you for my awesome mom but please bless her not to be such a grumpy pants next time she wakes up! I gotta say amen now 'cuz Mom is tired and it's way past my bedtime and I'm already in trouble. Amen."

Dying Easter Eggs...and so much more!

Need I say more? Egg photography courtesy of Dylan.