And so it begins . . .

Last week, on August 24th, we started the 2009-2010 school year. I was thrilled because Sk8r and CR had been a bored all summer as I was swamped with emergency preparedness stuff for church. Therefore, to finally have something to do for them was fantastic! We spent Sunday evening packing up backpacks and making sure clothes were out and ready, pencils sharpened, snacks in lunch bags and so forth.

Excitement filled the air!

On Monday morning they both woke early and jumped into the outfits they'd picked out:

What cute little darlings!

I drove each one to school (they go to different schools now since she's in 4th and he's in 6th) and then came home to . . .

silence.

At first I wondered if it was the good kind, the I-dream-of-silence-so-I-can-get-stuff-done kind, but as soon as that garage door shut I realized . . . I was wrong.

Here's the door (yes, still surrounded by the ugly smoker tan). Look just to the right between the lock and knob . . .

Do you see it? If not, here's a close-up I darkened of it . . .

A sweet little hand print of one of those cute little beings on lend to us from God. How lucky we are! How wonderful and adorable those kiddos are and what joy and happiness they've brought to our family throughout the years.

I just stood there.

That hand print stayed for a few days till I could be okay with them being gone. They are so big now, to the point where holding your mom's hand at school is no longer cool. To the point that they long for name brand clothes or specific shoes and pants with certain designs. To the point of having favorite bands and wanting to collect big kid movies. To the point of realizing it's more fun to talk to your friends on the phone if you are secluded in another room where no one else in the house can hear you. Sk8r goes to the local Walgreen's all the time on his skateboard accompanied by his skater-buddies and CR is finally wanting to have her hair done every day.

What happened??

When did these little ones grow-up? I think I missed it and I feel ripped off.

But alas, it has begun and I can't stop it. I suppose all I can do is love them when they are home and spend as much time with them in the evenings as possible.

A friend asked me if I wanted to carpool but you know what? I'd rather spend the gas and have those few extra moments with them each day than to give them up and save a little money. Financially it might not be the best decision but in the long run? That money is well spent on allowing me to have just a few more magical moments with my babies before they grow up and leave us for good. And so I'll milk those drives and miles for all they are worth because those little hands have already grown so much and are only going to get bigger and bigger and farther away.