where has the time gone...

"Kids grow up so fast..." "Appreciate them while they are little." "Before you know it they are in school, next day they are driving and then next day they are off to college" Those of us with children have had all these things said to us during the pregnancy stage or our kids baby stages. I used to respond that by saying "Whatever, your not the one up every few hours and you're not the one changing nasty diapers." Seriously, the diaper thing can get pretty disgusting. How does something so little, produce so much? I used to think that was just what old people said, because they missed their kids. (When they were little kids I'm sure, no one ever says that they miss their kids in the teenage years.)

I guess I am now finding these to be great truths. We have taken Josiah to Kings Island this year, he is 6 years old and can ride some of the big coasters. Myself being a coaster junkie, is pretty cool to ride with your son. Josiah has taken a fancy for sports. He loves ESPN, if it is a sport, he will watch it. He loves to watch football & loves to play. The two of us can spend hours just throwing back and forth. He can throw a nice tight spiral. I was throwing about 15 to 20 yards and he was catching them. He was also catching them while running. This is REAL football, not a Nerf, mind you. We have been playing sports together for a while, but for some reason I recently came to some realization that this is odd. I am throwing a real football with my son, it seems like just yesterday I was thrilled when he could just kick a ball. How did we get to this point and so fast? He's in First Grade & he is almost as tall as me. I just don't wanna wake up some day and bam he is in high school.
I dropped him off at school this morning. I leaned over gave him a kiss on the top of his head & he turned and gave me a hug. Nothing different than any other morning, but this morning he had a somber look on his face. "What's wrong, buddy?" I asked. "Daddy I didn't get to spend much time with you this morning and yesterday." he replied. He still thinks I'm cool & he still likes me. Someday he'll wake up and realize Dad isn't as cool & his friends will be more important, they all do. I just don't want to be so wrapped up in work & the world around me that I forget that my kids actually like me right now, not just for my wallet or car keys. It is not worth it. They like spending time with me. After all this is the only time as an adult I can get away with playing Hot Wheels and Rescue Heroes and race the shopping cart through Kroger making car noises (squealing tires and the such) and people do not look at you like you are weird, they just think you are a good parent. The scary part is the older they get, the older I get. Where has the time gone?

Ella Speak...

Ella came out of the house the other day..."Squeal walking side, mommy, squeal walking side..." Mommy was a bit confused by this one. Ella started pointing and exclaimed "Squeal walking side!" ... There was a squirrel on the side walk.