Grant Robert is four years old.
TJ is almost eight.
Lisa and I are young in mind and spirit and try to keep the body young as well.
The children are no longer toddlers who require diaper changing, feeding, or constant supervision. They can dress themselves if we leave their clothes out for them. They can ride bikes, play video games, and get from our house to Grandma's house all on their own. They are boys now. They fight and wrestle and hug and adore each other - all in the same moment. They still listen (for the most part) to mom and dad and willingly demonstrate their love of us. Grant still gives hugs and kisses and watches you leave from the window when you leave. TJ is not opposed to holding dad's hand once in a while - not yet, at least.
The boys bring with them all of the fun and aggravation that Andy and I must have brought to our parents. TJ is now allowed to go out on his own - without his little brother - to find his friends in the neighborhood. It's nice to have him get on his bike and disappear to Austin's, or Owen's, or Nicholas' house. And not disappear in a bad way - but in a way that allows him some earned freedom without us hovering over him. It's not "free range" parenting, but it's close. Soon enough - once the training wheels come off of Grant's bike, the two of them will be off for the afternoon - coming home at dinner time or when the sun comes down.
And - oh - how I hope for that for them because it was what I remember from my youth. The summer days lasted forever and were filled with adventure and missions, scrapes and scratches, sweat and pond water; and all our parents had to do was open the front door, call our names, and we headed home.
We are entering into that sweet spot where they are self sufficient enough to do somethings on their own but not so self sufficient they don't want us around. I know those days are on the far horizon. Those days where we are no longer cool enough to want to be seen with. Where family vacations involve adolescents who prefer to be independent.
For now we can go on a bike ride or head to the beach or go hiking. The opportunities are expanding.
I am enjoying this part of life.
TJ is almost eight.
Lisa and I are young in mind and spirit and try to keep the body young as well.
The children are no longer toddlers who require diaper changing, feeding, or constant supervision. They can dress themselves if we leave their clothes out for them. They can ride bikes, play video games, and get from our house to Grandma's house all on their own. They are boys now. They fight and wrestle and hug and adore each other - all in the same moment. They still listen (for the most part) to mom and dad and willingly demonstrate their love of us. Grant still gives hugs and kisses and watches you leave from the window when you leave. TJ is not opposed to holding dad's hand once in a while - not yet, at least.The boys bring with them all of the fun and aggravation that Andy and I must have brought to our parents. TJ is now allowed to go out on his own - without his little brother - to find his friends in the neighborhood. It's nice to have him get on his bike and disappear to Austin's, or Owen's, or Nicholas' house. And not disappear in a bad way - but in a way that allows him some earned freedom without us hovering over him. It's not "free range" parenting, but it's close. Soon enough - once the training wheels come off of Grant's bike, the two of them will be off for the afternoon - coming home at dinner time or when the sun comes down. And - oh - how I hope for that for them because it was what I remember from my youth. The summer days lasted forever and were filled with adventure and missions, scrapes and scratches, sweat and pond water; and all our parents had to do was open the front door, call our names, and we headed home.We are entering into that sweet spot where they are self sufficient enough to do somethings on their own but not so self sufficient they don't want us around. I know those days are on the far horizon. Those days where we are no longer cool enough to want to be seen with. Where family vacations involve adolescents who prefer to be independent.
For now we can go on a bike ride or head to the beach or go hiking. The opportunities are expanding.
I am enjoying this part of life.
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