How the game "Fart Champion" Fulfilled my Dreams. No Really.

This game was named  "Fart Champion" by the four year old.  It involved racing from the bottom of the driveway to the top. Or the top to the bottom. As far as I could tell no one was actually farting.  They repeatedly yelled, "Ruchdown!" at random but balked when I yelled out "Touchdown!" trying to join in on the fun. Mila was granted a head start, but was never allowed to win. Every once in a while they pretended they were frogs.

There were more rules too-most just as asinine as above-but I quit keeping track of them as I sat back and watched them play from our porch steps.

I had dreamt of this moment. Ok, not this exact moment because: FART CHAMPION. But, the moment where the two of them played together-the made up games, secret languages and inside jokes. The unstoppable laughter and shared smiles. Yes, even the part where they wouldn't let me join in on the fun.

It's pretty amazing watching their friendship grow. I only hope they can get more creative with the names of their games.

Preschool Graduation, Take 2

Dear Tyson,

This week we celebrated your second preschool graduation. It was the same program as last year, same teacher presenting and same diploma handed out-yet I still cried. God, I'm going to be a hot mess at your high school graduation-my apologies now.

This year your teacher told me you were a leader in the classroom. She said you were smart and that you listened well and you were great at making everyone feel included. She said you were respectful, kind and funny. As she told me this, my smile grew bigger and bigger. I already knew all of this about you, but it's nice to know others notice how wonderful you are too.

This year you learned how to write numbers and that dinosaurs can be herbivores or carnivores. You got to touch a snake and wear your Halloween costume to school. You raced your classmates in the motor room and made up new games to play with your friends. You worked on your cutting skills and started recognizing some sight words. You made a new best friend and had playdate without your Mommy there.

At graduation, I watched as you sat politely listening to your teacher. You answered her questions with pride and sang songs confidently. You and your buddy Logan shared smiles back and forth. You prayed out loud with zest and every once and awhile you turned to look at me for approval with a shy grin on your face. And, I smiled back with tears in my eyes.

I am so, so proud of you, Tyson.

Happy 2nd Preschool Graduation, buddy.

Love,

Mommy

Big Kids

So.... this happened this week:

That's my baby in her big girl bed.

And, then this happened this weekend:

That's my other baby on a bike without training wheels.

I am happy report that despite the emotional toll these two events took on me, I am not locked up in a padded room using tissue after tissue while mourning the loss of my babies.

Mila's transition to her big girl bed went remarkably smooth (KNOCK ON WOOD). She's been sleeping in it since Tuesday night and has yet to climb out of bed when she's not supposed to(KNOCK ON ALL THE WOOD). We're hoping she can teach her brother this supposedly simple skill.

Tyson has been asking to ride without training wheels since the end of last summer. We finally got around to letting him try it out this weekend. He picked it up on his first try and repeatedly yelled at me to "LET IT GO!" for most of the time I tried to run along side of him-and he wasn't just singing the Frozen song.

Let them go. I guess that's what  I have to do. They grow up, it's inevitable and it's slowly sinking in-bittersweet emotions and all