And not only has my baby girl turned into a big girl who wants to leave my house without me, one of my thirteen year old son’s voice has begun to change! How does this happen so suddenly? One minute, he was four years old, the next, when he stands, he looks straight into my eyes–soon he’ll be peering down at me–and his little boy voice is gone.
Really, I can’t stand it.
On the other hand, I believe that all this means that one day, I will have more than approximately three uninterrupted minutes to myself.
* * *
Halfway through the day, I decided to sort through the bookshelf in my 8-year old’s room. That pastime turned into a major overhaul of all his toys and books and containers. I received a label maker recently as a thank-you gift and so, with great delight, I labeled all the drawers in a stack of plastic bins I bought him recently. “Legos,” “Playmobil,” “Tinkertoys,” “Nintendo Games,” etc.
I hauled three large plastic garbage bags full of toys, books, shoes and clothes out of there, plus a bag of trash and a stack of empty Rubbermaid bins.
Meanwhile, the rest of my house collapsed upon itself and the kitchen sink filled with dishes. If you stopped by, you would think I am the Worst Housekeeper Ever. But, then, I’d show you his bedroom and you would bow down and worship at my label-making feet. (Wait. Did my feet make labels? No matter, it’s late and you know what I mean.)
I took my daughter to the swimming pool tonight. Only one other child swam. The high temperature today was about seventy degrees, and even though the pools are heated, she was cold, so we didn’t stay long.
We returned home in time to watch “Big Brother.” I exercised while I watched, then when it ended, I headed to the grocery store (at 9 p.m.) for some provisions. We were out of milk and I ended up spending a hundred bucks on other stuff we needed, too.
Only a week until the children are back in school. Darkness comes so much earlier now . . . I wistfully bid summer farewell and look forward to fall with some bitter-sweetness. The years with my children felt infinite at one time . . . now, I hear them ticking away, moment by moment, rushing like a stream heading downhill.
Actual Unretouched Photo 
just want to say that bloglines has totally stolen my comment leaving habits. I read every day here – sorry for not commenting.
anyways – your feet make labels, huh? mine just swell. some people get all the luck with trickster feet.
LikeLike
I hear that rushing stream too. Sometimes, it is downright deafening.
LikeLike
Oh yess. Two are taller than I; the other is catching up fast.
I look at the baby pictures and wonder when it all happened.
Milk and $100. Sometimes I do all that and forget the milk.
I can’t just do a bookcase either. Once I start I keep seeing one more thing.
LikeLike
I am sooo proud of you (not that it matters). You are so organised and in control. How do you do it? Any advise for a working mom who longs to be a SAHM???
LikeLike
you didn’t happen to tape big brother last night did you? we had a huge storm, the powere went out but it actually came back on in time. However, that hour was spent on tracking the bad weather!! AAAAHHH!! can you recap for me? 🙂
LikeLike
Too funny! I just love you, Mel! I have resigned myself to the fact that my house will never ALL be clean at the same time. While you get a handle on one corner, the rest all falls to wrack and ruin.
Mary, mom to many
LikeLike
I know what you mean about kids growing up so fast….Today is the first day of school here. My oldest is a senior (graduating after this first semester), next a freshman in high school, the next starting middle school and the youngest 3rd grade. It just all goes by in a flash. Wow – and sigh.
LikeLike