Growing up

Sunday night, after her bath, Eleanor asked if she could blow dry her own hair. Yes, of course! One less thing for me to do as I packed lunches, located class folders and whatever else I needed to do before tucking the children into bed. As I walked past the bathroom I stopped to look at our now ten-year old. I smiled to myself – she looked so grown up. Then I stopped smiling. She looked so grown up!

Little by little the list of day-to-day things that Ellie and Josie need me for me to do seems to be getting smaller. On one hand, that's wonderful. They are learning to be responsible young ladies. On the other hand, it feels as though these years when they need us the most are slipping away. Of course, they will need us forever, but in such different ways than what we're experiencing now.

Our life today looks so different than it did even four years ago. In 2011 we had a six-year-old and a two-year-old. We would have been in the throws of routine madness, (not to mention I was on crutches and PT for much of the year!) Do I miss butt wiping, toddler entertaining days? I miss those snuggley babies with their chubby cheeks and dimpled hands, for sure. But these days are pretty great too.

With a ten and almost eight-year-old, we can do so much more as a family. We have actual conversations that most of the time leave us shaking our heads and laughing. They entertain themselves and each other, yet still need their one-on-one snuggle time with Mom and Dad throughout the day. So even though they don't need us for a number of daily tasks anymore, they certainly still need us, and always will. (If you're reading this in fifteen years, Ellie and Josie, call your mother and tell her how much you still need her!)