The Next Stage
It is happening. My son is growing up.
I realize this has been happening for almost 10 years now, but never have I felt it like I did this weekend.
Our big rock concert fundraiser was on Saturday: Tellerpalooza. The one that Bryan and I work on all year long, and the one that Declan has actually started contributing, real, valuable ideas to.
He saw that the logo was very graphic this year, so he suggested I make a coloring page out of it for the younger grades at his school to get excited about. Totally, 100% his idea.
Then, on Saturday – our big day – I was feeling the stress. Bryan was already at the venue, making sure everything was set up and running smoothing. I was home, dodging last minute emergencies. I almost decided to run away the circus, because let me tell you – getting five bands to play – six when you include the school band – plus a magician, plus sponsors, plus donations, and then have 800 people coming to see it all? Stressful.
My kid says to me, “Mama, we should do something to relax.”
A lightbulb went off inside my head. I had been trying to go get a pedicure all week. There is a little place up the street that takes walk-ins. I could have Declan go with me. Right?
We have never gone for gender stereotypes and Declan paints his nails here and there as he feels like it. I was more worried that all the clipping and pulling and super hot water would freak him out.
He flip-flopped about 10 times on the way there, but in the end, he agreed.
As the ladies massaged our feet, and we sat side by side, chatting, relaxing, having a new experience that was just for us – it hit me.
We’re in a new place, him and me.
He’s old enough to not only tolerate something like a pedicure, he is actually enjoying it.
I got a little melancholy. He is our one and only. There are so many things I will never experience again.
But think of all the things I will.
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Wow, this post is so timely for me!
Sullivan has been doing so well in school this year, light years ahead of any other year in terms of behavior and trying and succeeding. In so many ways he’s starting to mature- I can talk to him about not fussing over things that upset him, and talk to me about it instead. And guess what? He LISTENS. Wow.
So I read that Beethoven’s 9th Symphony was being played on Saturday night – the one that has Ode To Joy in it. And he’s been doing so well playing recorder, pratices all the time, actually he’s quite good, and the last song he learned was Ode To Joy. So I thought I’d suprised him with a concert. We went out to McDonald’s for dinner (RARE!) then to the concert. I let him bring a book in case he got bored. And he was soo good in the concert. On the way out he thanked me many times for such a wonderful night. And you know what? It was. It was so much fun to just hang out with my son doing something fun and interesting. It’s like he’s a real little person now, instead of just my kid.
And I can see Declan is so there too. We are lucky Mama’s to have such awesome kids. But I think it’s also because You & Bryan are such great parents.
Wow, just cool.
awww! Just got a little weepy-eyed (maybe it’s the day). Thanks, Aimee, that was beautiful!
What a cool idea he had for the coloring option. Smart kid you’re raising. 😉
As someone who plans those types of fundraisers for a living, I heartily agree that the pedicure was a good call.
This. Times a zillion. I get down about it sometimes — sometimes, I think it’s a hazard of being a mom who’s into photography. I have thousands of shots of all these things we’ll never experience again. It’s bittersweet, for sure, especially for parents of onlies. But then something will resonate and remind me — it’s getting real. My son is a real person, with talents and preferences and all these serious-person things. It’s sad, but cool, too.
Declan seriously sounds like his own person, and a really awesome one at that. You should be super proud.
Ditto on the awww!! I was just lamenting my baby girl is ten months old and she’s not gonna be such a baby anymore and then I read this and I got so excited for kid-hood! Like when she can talk back to me. Sounds like you have an awesome one. 🙂
Such a cool kid.
Dex is so awesome…one of my favorite people on the planet.
Every time I talk with him I can’t help but smile at all the people he will astound, befriend and amaze. The world will be a better place because of your darling son.
xoxo
Ok, first… Your son is such a cute little mini man.
Second That is SOOO awesome that he came up with the idea of coloring pages for the younger kids. It was such a great idea and wonderful way to help them to feel involved. So great.
Also, what a wonderful kid to recognize that his mom was a little stressed and wanted to help you to relax. That warms my heart.
It’s hard realizing that your babies are no longer babies but doesn’t it make you smile seeing the young man that he’s growing up to be.
I adore this post.
I love this. And I’m totally going to copy your idea of pedicures with sons.
My second isn’t a baby anymore, and it’s really driving home that both of my kids are growing up. We have moments, like yours, where I’ll all of a sudden realize, this is it! This is growing up RIGHT HERE. And while it always warms my heart, I never know if it’s going to make me smile or cry.
As for getting your son to sit down for a pedicure, I wish you had a secret! I’ve been trying to get my husband to do the same for YEARS. ‘Cause he needs it. Boy does he need it.
He is the coolest kid ever. I love him from afar!