One Less Preschooler

Big things are ahead for our oldest.  This past week we attended his future elementary school's "kindergarten roundup."  We received a registration packet, toured kindergarten classrooms, and even took a ride on a school bus (a first for C and his little brother).  I have to admit I got a little teary eyed watching him look out the window of the school bus like a little puppy dog.  My first born is growing up.  This is a milestone for both of us.  We have spent every day together since he was born thanks to the privilege of being a stay at home mom.  It's a little heart breaking knowing he has become so independent and is ready for that next step.  But I have to remind myself this is just the beginning of things to come that are like this and he is definitely ready to break away from Mama (well for 7 hours a day anyways).  In the process, I will slowly relearn what it is like to live not only for my family, but also for myself because after all, B is not far behind.  I also look forward to the opportunity to one on one time with our youngest.  He has been in his brother's shadow his whole life and it will be time for him to learn to be independent and strive as well. 

Something else that made C a "big" boy this week was the absence of his hair.  Mr A is always trying to get the boys' hair shaved like his and always claims it will be cooler for them since they have a tendency to sweat a lot in the hotter months.  So he presented the idea to C of getting all of his hair buzzed off.  Right away C said yes.  But he would look at me and knew that I didn't like the idea.  I pushed aside my pride and told C it was up to him, he could make the choice on his own; after all, it is his hair.  After some reluctance of not wanting to hurt my feelings, he said yes.  The first stride down his head with the clippers and my gasp from shock, he ran out of the bathroom and said he changed his mind.  Yes, with a 3 inch difference in hair length right down the middle of his head!  It took a lot of convincing to get him to finish the job, he would have been content going out in public with the inverted mohawk, and for the next half of the hair cut he cried and spazed like he does when getting his immunizations.  He finally calmed down and took the rest like a champ.  He was very happy with his decision after seeing the final result.  Me, I was a little apprehensive.  I liked it but then I didn't.  I did notice that it reminded me so much of what he looked like his first year of life.  Those prominent eyebrows, that big round head, the deep brown eyes.  As he slept that night I snuck into his room and watched him.  Even though he looked just like he did as a baby sleeping, he was on to bigger and better things.  My baby is growing up.