Golden Days

Yesterday Owen graduated from preschool. And his teachers know how to throw one heck of a party, I do declare! From pinatas to whipped cream shots to boxed wine, a grand time was had by all. (Thanks Leigh Ellen and Tara!)

Anyway, it really got me thinking about this lovely time in our life. I mentioned it briefly the other day, but it has been on my mind a lot lately. We are really enjoying the sweet stages that our boys are in. I'm finding myself wishing that I could freeze us all right where we are.

Owen has really blossomed during his last couple years in preschool. I'm so happy we didn't push to get him into kindergarten this last year and that he was able to have one more year of unscheduled childhood. Time to play, to create, to make art, to sleep in, to let the day take us wherever it might lead. He has this delicious imagination and it warms my heart to watch him in action. I can't believe how tall he has gotten and how the 'baby' is all but gone from his face these days. I still catch a glimpse when he's really giggling or when he feels proud about something. But he is a little boy through and through. Each day, I try to etch these images of him into my mind, because from what I hear, once they start school the years fly by.

Eli still has a bit of baby in him. He's more like a puppy though. Soft, warm and round...with a bite. He is such a little stinker, in the best way possible. He makes us laugh all the time. He still has that cute little cartoon character voice that toddlers have (but his penchant for screaming can drive me to insanity). He is hilarious, affectionate, and impulsive. Incredibly impulsive. We call him Party Guy. He has always loved a party, especially if there is cake involved. (mmmm...my favwit!)I know by summer's end, I will be seeing my toddler look more like a little boy. In fact, I'm probably stretching this toddler thing a little far as it is.

And Axel, my babe. I am absolutely smitten. I now understand why people baby their Baby. I think I may only have weeks before his teeth sprout through, he starts eating food, and he starts crawling. (This one is a mover!) But right now, he's all gummy smiles and sweet milk breath. I love to stick my nose right up to his little mouth and breathe in that danky scent that only a breastfed baby has. Before long, he'll be eating oatmeal and avocados and sweet potatoes and that Baby Smell will be gone. I wish I could bottle it and save it for the days when my boys are all big.

This summer will be delightful. I have an inkling it will be our best one yet. We will be reveling in this last unscheduled, pre-School Daze. I'm soaking in every moment.