As a mom, I am always aware, albeit sometimes peripherally, of those stand out moments in Wesley's young life. Some are those picture-perfect instances caught on camera or video cams; others are times that are shared in real time with family and friends. And then there are those moments that just happen sans camera, sans recording devices--moments that are little blessings from heaven because they are so perfect and sweet and real that no picture, video, or even blog can capture it.
Today was one such Mommy Moment.
We were sitting in church, and the choir was singing as an anthem "Little Drummer Boy." This is one of Wesley's favorite songs ever. He has known this song since he was one, thanks to a children's book by the same name. Beautifully illustrated with the lyrics, that book has been one that we have read many, many times over the years. Plus this song is a frequent request at bedtime. Needless to say, it's one Wesley knows well.
In fact, he knows it so well that he sang it out loud with the choir during the anthem. His five-year-old voice carried above the others, swelling with the music. His pa-rum-pum-pum-pums were some of the sweetest I'd ever heard, and I couldn't help beaming at him. He never saw me, so intent on the hymnal in his hands (which was not opened to the song, by the way, but he likes to pretend) and the song.
This is what made it perfect--he wasn't singing for anyone other than himself. Granted, one of his little girl friends, Lily, was sitting with him, and he would give her a grin or two while singing, but this only made it even sweeter and more perfect for me.
No camera would have been able to catch the innocence of that moment. Only a mommy's heart could.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
From Gerber to Graduate, Part I
So it's official - my baby is a graduate.
Miss Heidi and Wesley
His pre-school days are winding down, and there comes with that a huge excitement for the future - both for him and me. There's anticipation about attending "Mommy's school" in the fall with the "big kids." There's curiosity about what kinds of things will be learned. There's even joy at the thought of playing on the "big" playground.
And there's especially the bittersweet acceptance of another chapter ended in his young life.
When I look back on the last five years, I realize with a smile and a tear that the better part of four of those years have been spent at Kids World. I remember how tough that first week back at work was - how I had to leave my baby in an unfamiliar setting and trust that those who were looking after him were doing just that. I remember how difficult it was to walk away while he was crying for me and how happy we both were at our afternoon reunions. I remember the day that he didn't cry when I left, when I knew that he was going to be okay and so was I. I remember watching him move up to each "big boy" classroom, the potty training, the scribbles that made up his artwork, the day he learned what letters were in his name, the day he learned to write his name. I remember how the other kids in the classroom slowly trickled in to our dinnertime conversations - how Connor did this or VJ said that, or how Brayden got in trouble (but never Wesley), or how Keats and Addison were the, ahem, "girlfriends" of the day.
And now he has graduated from all of that. In a couple of weeks, Kids World will no longer be a permanent fixture in our lives. The children whom I have watched grow up alongside Wesley will go their separate ways at summer's end, and while I am excited for all of them, I know that I will miss them. It has been a blessing to witness the blossoming of these little one-year-old toddlers into chatty, opinionated, sometimes bossy, always caring little persons. There's a warm, fuzzy feeling that comes with being addressed as "Hey, Wesley's Mom" by these children whose names and faces I know so well. I will miss that in the coming years.
Still, kindergarten will present a new challenge, one of fun and excitement and curiosity. The tide of their lives continues to flow, and even though many of them are moving down different tributaries, they will all eventually dump out into the great wide ocean of life and perhaps run into each other again.
I am so proud of what Wesley has accomplished, and I thank Kids World and all their teachers for four wonderful years.
Graduating class of 2014
His pre-school days are winding down, and there comes with that a huge excitement for the future - both for him and me. There's anticipation about attending "Mommy's school" in the fall with the "big kids." There's curiosity about what kinds of things will be learned. There's even joy at the thought of playing on the "big" playground.
And there's especially the bittersweet acceptance of another chapter ended in his young life.
When I look back on the last five years, I realize with a smile and a tear that the better part of four of those years have been spent at Kids World. I remember how tough that first week back at work was - how I had to leave my baby in an unfamiliar setting and trust that those who were looking after him were doing just that. I remember how difficult it was to walk away while he was crying for me and how happy we both were at our afternoon reunions. I remember the day that he didn't cry when I left, when I knew that he was going to be okay and so was I. I remember watching him move up to each "big boy" classroom, the potty training, the scribbles that made up his artwork, the day he learned what letters were in his name, the day he learned to write his name. I remember how the other kids in the classroom slowly trickled in to our dinnertime conversations - how Connor did this or VJ said that, or how Brayden got in trouble (but never Wesley), or how Keats and Addison were the, ahem, "girlfriends" of the day.
And now he has graduated from all of that. In a couple of weeks, Kids World will no longer be a permanent fixture in our lives. The children whom I have watched grow up alongside Wesley will go their separate ways at summer's end, and while I am excited for all of them, I know that I will miss them. It has been a blessing to witness the blossoming of these little one-year-old toddlers into chatty, opinionated, sometimes bossy, always caring little persons. There's a warm, fuzzy feeling that comes with being addressed as "Hey, Wesley's Mom" by these children whose names and faces I know so well. I will miss that in the coming years.
Still, kindergarten will present a new challenge, one of fun and excitement and curiosity. The tide of their lives continues to flow, and even though many of them are moving down different tributaries, they will all eventually dump out into the great wide ocean of life and perhaps run into each other again.
I am so proud of what Wesley has accomplished, and I thank Kids World and all their teachers for four wonderful years.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Milestones Come and Memories to Go
It's hard to believe that it's been 5 years since my son was born. And yet, there he is, larger than life (literally). Five years old and full of ideas, imagination, and energy. His birthday theme this year was Rescue Bots, something that no store does anything with (unlike choo-choos, fire trucks, and construction trucks). That's okay, though--it forced me to get creative, and I think I did okay. Many thanks to all the mommy blogs who helped me come up with ideas.
There was also the really huge event that happened four days before he turned five - Wesley lost his first tooth! Oh, the excitement that reigned in this house! In fact, that Saturday morning, I was awakened by the sound of happy feet running into my bedroom and the very proud statement: "Mommy, guess what! I lost my first tooth! See?" Cue the cute little hole. And guess what? No tooth. I think he swallowed it in his sleep. No amount of searching through dust bunnies, cereal crumbs, or lost toys under the couch (his current favorite weekend sleeping spot) could produce a tooth. Oh well--the tooth fairy was generous nonetheless.
And now we're planning our first trip to Disney World. Wesley is excited to see where Buzz lives and the princesses and all the rides and the big castle...and Rescue Bots, Mommy? Well...
It will also be his first time on a plane, another biggie. And then there's kindergarten in the fall...
Yep. Five years of great memories and major milestones stored neatly away. Here's hoping for another hundred.
There was also the really huge event that happened four days before he turned five - Wesley lost his first tooth! Oh, the excitement that reigned in this house! In fact, that Saturday morning, I was awakened by the sound of happy feet running into my bedroom and the very proud statement: "Mommy, guess what! I lost my first tooth! See?" Cue the cute little hole. And guess what? No tooth. I think he swallowed it in his sleep. No amount of searching through dust bunnies, cereal crumbs, or lost toys under the couch (his current favorite weekend sleeping spot) could produce a tooth. Oh well--the tooth fairy was generous nonetheless.
And now we're planning our first trip to Disney World. Wesley is excited to see where Buzz lives and the princesses and all the rides and the big castle...and Rescue Bots, Mommy? Well...
It will also be his first time on a plane, another biggie. And then there's kindergarten in the fall...
Yep. Five years of great memories and major milestones stored neatly away. Here's hoping for another hundred.
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