It's been a big week for The Boy. Over the weekend, The Man and I undertook the big flip and moved him into the big room at the front of the house. He picked out a shade lovely shade of called Lagoon, and we rushed out to Ikea and purchased the best furniture you could get from Sweden for that price. The Boy even helped put it together. He is very very proud. Now we are just waiting for the paint to cure before we hang a few things on the wall. (I'll post photos.) We also need a new comforter and linens. I am thinking yellow but we'll see what he thinks.
Then this morning it was time for the big first day of school, Grade 3. He seemed a bit bummed by the whole thing, a sign that he's had a good summer. Still he seemed happy to see his friends. "It's Mom, you don't have to stay." So I hung back. Marveled how little the junior Kindergardeners seem. I remember this little man who wouldn't let me go. Now, he just walks away.
I expect these changes are harder on me than on him. He's growing up, got his own friends. Not going to get any easier this letting go bit. Still he's my little boy.
He crawls into his bed (at 8:15 p.m. -- he's been doing 9:30 lately.) He asks if I'm busy, I ask if I can have 15 minutes to finish moving stuff around. (We're mid-renos here. Always moving.) It's more like 25 when I go back to check on him. He's groggy.
"Hey boo, you not asleep."
"No, I was waiting for a snuggle and it never came."
"Oh dear, I'm sorry bud. Do you want a snuggle now?"
So I'm not going to worry about letting go just yet. He still needs his mom for the snuggling. (I'll post photos soon.)
Can't wait to see the photos. And yeah, grade 3 (if it's the same in Canada as it is in the States) is about the age when kids start to demonstrate their attempt themselves from their parents. What you experienced is just the beginning. Good luck!
Posted by: Dagny | September 03, 2008 at 01:48 AM
So sweet... 7-8 is a funny stage. I'm enjoying watching Q grow up, yet still marvel at how close he needs/wants me still. I love it ;)
Anxious to see those reno pics!
Posted by: Joe Girl | September 03, 2008 at 08:37 AM
*sniff* *sniff* I admit, I feel a twinge of hurt when the 4 y.o. doesn't give a shiznit when I drop her off at school LMAO! It's only going to get worse.
Posted by: Marcy | September 03, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Awww enjoy that! I have to beg for any sort of hugs, kisses or snuggling these days! (It doesn't help that at 14 my son is almost dead on 6' and I'm only 5'4!) My daughter makes up for it though ;o)
Posted by: Penelope | September 03, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Seems like it's just a matter of time as well, until The Boy finds The Girl. Then snuggle time would be scheduled and booked at a different venue. :)
Posted by: Chris | September 03, 2008 at 06:55 PM
my littlest starts school tomorrow! i am going to snuggle with a jar full of bourbon. AAAAH!
Posted by: brandon | September 04, 2008 at 12:19 AM
Even at 12 my boy still likes a snuggle. I hope it'll last. It's good watching them grow, but it's also tough at the same time. I think it's because we realise it gets harder for us to keep the world away from them the older they get.
Posted by: Selma | September 04, 2008 at 02:23 AM
I'm a tad verklempt, as well. Mine's 15 and is, like, totally "MOM!!!", during the day and all "mummy" when it's nighttime and quiet and the friends have all gone home and turned off their msn and cell phones.
Posted by: XUP | September 04, 2008 at 11:35 AM
At 8 and 5, my girls are still very snuggly. And I snuggle every chance I get, because I know it won't last forever. Sniff.
Yay at getting The Boy's new room all ready.
Posted by: alison | September 04, 2008 at 03:16 PM
This is so, so sweet.
When my daughter was around six, I used to tuck her in every night and inevitably, I always hugged longer than she did. But one night I let go and she held on a long time. It was such a wonderful moment.
Thank you for reminding we don't always have to rush ourselves to let go.
Posted by: Mayberry Magpie | September 04, 2008 at 08:39 PM
"Mom, you don't have to stay"
LUMP!
Posted by: whall | September 05, 2008 at 11:21 AM
aw. love those little nighttime snuggles. my 12 year old still likes for me to hang with him "so we can chat" at bedtime ... no need to let go just yet! still plenty of time!
Posted by: suzanne | September 05, 2008 at 08:02 PM
My daughter started third grade last week. She's at that in between stage...not sure if she still needs me to "I can do it all by myself". I think you are right, it's harder on us than it is on them. I think eight is the last age we get to "baby" them. At least that how it was for my oldest one. Hold on to every minute you've got.
The bedroom sounds delightful!
Posted by: Lisa | September 06, 2008 at 07:28 AM
I'm opting for gooey boys and strong girls. So far so good, though I'm not aloud to be gooey around either of the oldests any where near school. The eldest girl and I have a thing where we bump shoulders as we pass one another (pretending to bump into one another without acknowledging each other).
The eldest boy has his moments, though there is definitely separation. He will still hold my hand (at 12) in public, usually when there's no one from school around.
Posted by: Richgold | September 07, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Enjoy every minute while you can... they grow sooo fast. (My "baby" of the family is 25! I'm just happy when he lets me give him a hug!)
Posted by: sue | September 10, 2008 at 01:30 PM