Growing Up!

I just want to write a post to announce that my boys are GROWING UP! Wow, thank you Lesley for pointing out the obvious. But seriously. I can't believe how big William is getting. I was watching him run to the park at the cabin and I got all choked up because he looked like an official preschooler. His legs looked so long and his new buzz cut makes him look so much older. Today I dropped him off for a summer camp with his future preschool teacher. He was so shy and was trying to fight back the tears when he looked around at all the strange faces. The teacher suggested I sit with him for a minute, which I did. All at once, five friends from our neighborhood came in to join the group and William instantly lit up. I stood up and bid him farewell and couldn't believe that I was entering a new chapter in life--telling my child goodbye with a teacher saying "He'll be fine" and then two hours later picking up William with a whole yard full of other moms waiting to pick up their child. I'm looking forward to William starting preschool in the fall. It will be a new experience being on the parent's side instead of the teacher's side. I'm going to try extra hard to not be a crazy helicopter parent.

Van has been screaming "No!" for two weeks and I can't believe he's at the terrible twos already. I was going through some old photos and came across our family pictures in the hospital just hours after Van's birth. It seems like yesterday that William was watching Toy Story 2 everyday while I caught up on my sleep from being up in the night with Van. Side note: Aunt Caroline could not have picked a better birthday present (Toy Story 2) for Will. It was a gift for all of us.

I'm so glad I get to watch these two grow up. Tonight, I was reading a story to Will and we were laughing because we could hear Isaac in the other room trying to lay Van down to sleep. Van was screaming and Isaac, exasperated said "Van! What do you want?" He stopped crying and mumbled "Mom." Will laughed and whispered, "Van said 'Mom'." Isaac carried Van into Will's room, I handed Isaac the book and scooped up Van and laid him down, after telling the house night-night and singing him the "I Love You" song.  He then looked up and said "Melmo. Brair" which means he wants to hold his Elmo and teddy bear. I love those moments where stress, hilarity, and sweetness are simultaneously happening.

Today, I took the boys swimming with Sophie, Deacon and Abbey and at one point had to hold both of them in the water because they were so clingy and tired. It was stressful managing two exhausted boys in the hot hot sun, but in the end I'm glad I was the one that got to comfort my boys. It's the best job to raise fine kids and enjoy them full-time. Now, if I can just figure out how to slow time a little bit maybe I won't be so freaked out about their growth rate.

Imagine cute pictures of the boys right here. Our desktop has been broken all summer so I can't upload photos. Boo.