Seven on Seven

Seven years ago
A cold, snowy April day
You completely changed me
And I became "Mommy"

Now, you have completely changed, too
A bright-eyed, smiley boy
With a gummy grin
Baby teeth have given in
To the inevitable future

The loves of your younger years
Seem seconds away to me
But are half a lifetime away
For you

Reading chapter books
And writing your own
Developing characters
And discussing marketing techniques
To continue your franchise

You love R2-D2
Though you have not yet seen Star Wars
We try our best to keep
That innocence we love around
But it won't be long

You called me "Mom"
For the first time
And I wished I could give
A time-out
For growing up

My first grader
Whose world was once completely reliant
Upon Mommy and Daddy
Now has other influences
Teachers, friends, mean kids
And girls who chase boys on recess

Seven years have passed
A warm, summer-like day
I share my birthday with you again
But now I know so well the many emotions
That come with being who you made me:
Your mommy

And I know that --
Without a doubt --
My best birthday gift
Will always be
You.

Make a Wish, Pumpkin!

I'm sure that every mommy asks,
"How is my little baby so grown up?"
And I am no different.

I can't believe
What a little man you've become
A preschooler
Bringing home oodles of artwork
(Most of it in your favorite green)
Writing your own name for months now
Even with smiley faces in the letters.

You amaze me
With your story-memorizing brain
And dramatic monologues
About the differences between two games
Yet you still ask,
"Is this lunch or dinner?"

You are so affectionate
My "Huggy Buggy,
Huggy Shmuggy,
Lovey Dovey"
And you still love to play with my hair
Just like when you were a baby.

Your excitement
Cannot be contained
And you often wake up
Belting out "God Bless America"
Or making up your own intricate stories
While letting Mommy and Daddy sleep
Just a little longer.

I know these days of
Hugging with abandon,
Acting out your own plays,
Being the only one in the family
Who eats peas,
And choosing to sit on my lap
Will begin to fade

But as always
My love for you
Never ever will.
I will love you
Forever, my four-year-old!

Birthday Party Highlights

Please sing this in your head as you read: It's the most...hor-ri-ble time...of the year....

I have two words for you: research papers. Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!! Run away while you can before I try to accost you with my red pen!

I really do enjoy my job, but I wish my job did not include grading over one hundred eleventh grade research papers. It takes forever. I have often thought of the old teacher joke of throwing them down the stairs; the ones that fall to the bottom get Fs and the ones that land on the highest steps are awarded As. Unfortunately, I have a conscience. Drat!

Anyway, here are some pictures from the boys' birthday party last month. They had a wonderful day with very generous friends and family.

Mommy and Peanut on our actual birthday

At the party play place:

Even Eric and I had a great time because we didn't have to clean anything up afterwards. (And I even ignored the pizza and cake who were trying to call my name as well. Yay, me!)

My best birthday present ever...

Dear Peanut,

Our first glimpse of you

Was so tiny and small

You were our baby Peanut

After Daddy and I saw

Your hand and your foot

And your sweet round head
And my heart skipped a beat

When it felt yours instead

You did not arrive quietly

Quite dramatic at birth

But the moment we heard you

You multiplied our worth

Your crying continued
And then so did ours

As we looked to the sky

And wished on the stars

And as fast as they came

Those hard days passed

We marveled at your giggles

Hoped this babyhood would last

But you took your first step

And you said your first word

And we sang "Happy Birthday"

As my teary eyes blurred

I am still that same Mommy

When your big day is here

Even though you keep changing
I just can't change my tears

So many milestones

As I add up the sum

Of the joys you have brought me

And the obstacles overcome

Almost done kindergarten

You've learned many new things

Like how to make friends

And how to spread your wings

But don't fly too fast

From your mommy's embrace

You get smarter every day

And I can't halt the pace

So on your sixth birthday

If you see Mommy cry

You don't need to be worried

You don't need to ask why

I'm holding on to my memories

And trusting all that's in store

Because with each day that passes

I can only love you more.

Three Is a Magic Number

Dear Pumpkin,

You are my snuggle bug
Love to hug

Car lovin'
Sometimes roughin'

Sing song man
Fan of fans

Alphabet reading
Lollipop pleading

Hands flailin'
Veggie Talin'

Don't like waiting
Story creating

Fresh milk addicted
Bath night conflicted

Occasional toy flingin'
Lemon car singin'

Happy when wakes
Lover of cakes

Shaky shaking
Funny face making

Tiggle Wiggles
Give great giggles

I'll soon be missin'
Sloppy wet kissin'

From my baby sweet pea
Because Pumpkin is three!