I think children should come with a warning that time speeds up once they reach their teen years. I feel as though I'm in a time warp where my kids are bulleting through life and reaching new milestones almost daily. Some examples:
1 - The girls drove themselves to a high school football game and tailgate last night and left the rest of us at home. Libby was kinda like this picture below. We don't need you anymore, Momma.
2 - Emily has a heavy class load of honors and AP classes, is a library student assistant, works on the school broadcast channel, has an after-school job, and a boyfriend, and is never home. I can completely see why other parents say that they're ready for their kids to go to college because they never see them when they're home, anyway.
3 - I am NOT saying that I will be ready for her to go to college. I will be in the fetal position for months after that. But I see the rationale behind the saying. ;)
4 - Last year, Andrew was at school from 7:30 - 2:30. He and I spent hours together every afternoon and he and his friends played together outside all over the neighborhood. This year, now that middle school and extra-curriculars have started, he leaves at 8:30 and gets home at 6. He has time for dinner, homework, saxophone practice, and a shower before bed. That's it. Where did my baby go????
5 - Without naming names, Emily is not the only daughter talking about boys. Sigh. I feel like Scout sometimes. I just want to bury my face in a soft blanket and ignore the passage of time.
6 - It rarely happens, but when the kids are home, they are holed up in their rooms with music blaring. And it's not Laurie Berkner. Personally, I would love to hear "The Cat Came Back" or "Victor Vito" a few more times before they all leave.
7 - On the other hand, they generally listen to good music! When did my kids get old enough to have such great taste in music?! They generally introduce me to music instead of the other way around now. And that's kinda cool.
