Mostly when you're not looking, or watching.
It's like when you see an old picture of yourself and you go... geez, I was so young back then, or look how young I looked, or man I looked good back then, what happened to me? I think you get my point.
Obviously for those who read here and have kids, that's nothing new... the kids constantly change. I know, we all change, but with kids it seems to move faster... suddenly they're in kindergarten, or third grade, or will be starting junior high. They learn to sit up, crawl, stand, walk, talk... lose their first tooth. Without going any further down that road, I will get to my point in all of this.
We don't notice the change as it's happening... just like we never see the grass growing... suddenly one day, it needs mowing... starting the cycle all over again. People are like that too... you don't see the changes happening, or as they happen... then one day you notice something is different. Didn't see it happen, just suddenly it happened and it's forever changed.
In no particular order of importance... the past couple of weeks have brought to light some more of these moments or markers in my life.
Jake turned 6 on the 13th (Mother's Day) and he lost his first tooth on that day too. I realize that two others have lost their first tooths too... but it reminded me that he's getting old... venturing out of that older toddler kid phase. He's no longer in the 0-5... he's in the 6-12... the next phase being the teen years.
Then there's Rachael... she got a haircut... I know what's the big deal... it's not like it's her first. No, it's not her first, but in a way it is... see, her hair had become long... as in really, really l o o o o n g, and most of the hair that got cut off in the back was her original hair. That is to say that hair was four plus years old... a different type of marker. It's amazing to see the difference, suddenly she looked much older. Rachael also graduated from preschool today... she's taken another step towards becoming a kindergartner. I will get some pictures (from both events) posted on her page.
Emmah... the oldest and the one paving the way for all the others to follow... I can relate, but I only had one following me... she has five. Yesterday, Julie attending a meeting for the fifth grade class that was going to be entering junior high... I said Junior High. Three years away from high school and five from driving. Yes, that was a groan you heard. Speaking of Emmah, she felt up to going to PLUS on Thursday... the gifted program... and she felt up to going to school all day today. She won't be going everyday, but we will let her from time to time since this is the year that she will be leaving the only school she's known for the past five years.
An addendum... I've been reminded several times that "it's six years dad if you include kindergarten"... so there you go Emmah... six years.
Then there's Nick... Nick is Nick, but I've noticed that he's filling out, that is to say getting more man-like... he's eating like a horse. He's not the skinny twig of a kid anymore and is getting some size to him now. I've also started him on mowing the lawn now too. He enjoys it, for now, and I figure that will last until the novelty wears off... which coincidently will be around the time I won't have to be monitoring him as he mows it.
I know there will be more of the same in the coming years especially with three still in the 0-5 group.
Back to junior high for a sec... while junior high was over thirty years ago, there are still some memories that remain clearer than others, but the point I'm getting at is this... it's still somewhat fresh. Okay, it's not that fresh, but it is hard for me to wrap my head around that it's been that long since that phase of my life... which in of itself is another marker.
Funny thing, the lawn needs mowing tomorrow...
