Who moved the bike seat?

There have been a lot of things that I should have blogged about recently. For example, I wanted to give my perspective on the train wreck that was our 'vacation'. That wound is too fresh and raw still, probably will be forever. Suzy wanted me also to write about the 'graduation' ceremony at Daniel's preschool. While the whole thing struck me as ridiculous I felt that it would be bad form if I mocked it this year, and next year when Daniel was one of the graduates I wrote about what a meaningful thing it was, and how I will always cherish the memories.

So why am I blogging? What momentous event has removed the laziness from my fingers and sent me to the computer? A simple question. 'Who moved the bike seat?' That is a question that Daniel asked Papa and me today before their bike ride. Daniel and Papa were going on a ride before we all headed to the pool, and Papa and I were getting the bike ready, which consists of getting the kid's seat on the back and attaching all the straps. I popped Daniel in his seat and his knees rested up against the back of the bike seat. That was when he asked the question. Nobody moved the bike seat, buddy. You grew. That kid barely fits in the seat anymore. I don't know when it happened, but it did. When we first got that seat he was swimming in there, but now he barely fits in it.

Suzy and I were just saying the other day that he seems to be at another level. Mentally, physically, emotionally. He is just becoming a functional member of our family. Tutu and Papa were down this weekend and I think that they noticed it too. From the fact that all of a sudden he can swim by himself, he can calm himself down when he is upset, he dresses, eats, does pretty much anything, all by himself. He plays with Legos and builds cool spaceships. He has discovered a love of drawing that is incredible. He draws these complex cartoons, with lots of action, Spiderman jumping from this building to that building, and here is the ladder, and here are the bad guys, etc. His drawing skills led directly to more evidence that he has some of his mother's artistic skills. Suzy can picture something in her head, and have pretty much total recall of that memory. Daniel seems to be the same way, he drew a picture of his trip to the Coronado ferry with his class with amazing detail, and also a picture of our trip to the Nationals game, that included walking through a tunnel. Obscure details remembered and accurately put to paper. I could never have done that.

So what is the event that makes me want to blog? It is my son, Daniel, and the miracle that is his growing up.

Daniel swimming to Papa with his Nemo fish

Tutu and Papa with the boys

Last day of school

Yesterday was Daniel's last day of preschool. Most of the kids are coming to summer school, so it wasn't too sad, although I did have to say goodbye to one boy (who I really liked) and his Mom. We pulled down pictures and artwork and all the little details that made the rooms unique to this group of children. Next year there will be new names on the cubbies, as well as some old, new name tags, new snack placemats and new memories. I will definitely cherish and remember many of the moments from the past year, the funny things the kids said during circle time, seeing Daniel making friends, doing art projects with the kids, playing, reading and sometimes comforting.

Daniel really had a blast in his first year of preschool. He absolutely loved learning about space, harvesting, the holidays, Antarctica, the rainforest, springtime and the ocean. He loved his teacher, Teacher Laurie, who is an amazing person and loves all the kids as her own. He was surrounded by a great group of kids and their parents. Daniel learned how to wait in lines by himself, raise his hand before calling out an answer, make friends and be independent from me for a whole morning. He really has grown and matured so much since that first day.

I still can't believe how fast the school year flew by. And it really scares me to think the next school year could fly by just as fast, if not faster, because too soon Daniel will be off to kindergarten and my heart aches just thinking about it. But now it is time for summertime fun. Playing in the sun, swimming, relaxing and just enjoying my boys.