Dominic is my youngest, the youngest of 4. He’s turning 11 at the end of the month, and he’s the only one of my kids that really still likes to get his picture taken. I would imagine next year will probably yield a different result, so for now, I will just enjoy it, and occasionally cry bitter sweet tears because the last of my babies is growing up.
Some days I think to myself “Man, I can’t wait ’till these guys are all grown up and out the door so my house won’t be such a mess!”, and other days (like today) I cry, thinking about being a victim of empty nest syndrome. Oh sure, I’ll be fine, and yes, I went through that stage of wanting another baby a few years ago. I realized that instead of wishing for the days that are already gone, I needed to focus on, and enjoy my kids as they grow. Take advantage of everything I can, whenever possible.
Working from home allows me to attend events at school, like before Christmas when I went into Dominic’s 5th grade class and helped them all make Paint Stick Snowmen. I go to as many sporting events as I can muster, which is pretty much all of them, and I attend all the award ceremonies, plays, and concerts. Yesterday was no exception. Dominic made it into the Geo Bee (Geography Bee) and was representing his class amongst other 5th-8th graders.
Caution: crappy cell phone pictures ahead.
We live in a small rural community, our elementary school has a total of roughly 400 kids (K-8). It’s nice and small and everyone knows everyone. It’s so wonderful to walk in to the school and around every corner have a child say “Hi Mrs. Formaro!”, or the kids that are always over at our house “Hi Mom!”. :)
The Geo Bee was fun, and while Dominic didn’t win, he did well and while I was practicing with him, he answered questions I never could have.
The teacher that ran the bee decided to do something a little different this year. After the bee was over, she asked for teacher volunteers to come up on stage and answer some of the bee questions. It was great fun to see them up there. And the kicker?
The librarian was kicking the teachers butts! It was really great, lots of laughs, and the kids had a great time. I got some crappy pictures with my cell phone, but the best part was when Dominic turned to me and said “Mom? Thanks for coming.”
Wow. *sniff*
I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I love you Dominic.
OMG he thanked you for coming…that is one awesome kid. And he's very handsome.
Aw,Your post made me think about my three. I'm very sentimental when it comes to my them especially the twins. That was a very difficult pregnancy and one of them was very sick. I'm always amazed at how far they've come. Your Dominic is a handsome guy but more importantly he seems like thoughtful one if not a little bit silly. :) You're doing a GREAT job Amanda!
~ingrid
Gotta love these kids of ours. My baby is a boy and he is 12..they grow so fast. I love your post!
I am CRYING reading this! My boys are only 3 and 5 and I can't imagine the day they are almost teenagers! Lovely post!
oh bless you your a lovely Mum, he is a handsome boy whats with the stickers?
Love Rebecca
Boy, he went to town with the tatoos!
Great post, Amanda. *sniff*
My aughter just turned 15 and I swear she is having me practice for that empty nest. It might ne cleaner but it sure is quiter. She went to bed the other night and didnt even say good night. The next morning i told her if I had a dozen children, I might not notice but I only have 1, so say good night!!! She just smiled. Damn kids know how to wiggle into your heart forever, dont they? ;)
Why do they have to grow up so fast? Hope he has a great bday when it rolls around :)
Love this post Amanda! Dominic looks a lot like you!
I was just talking with Chris (my baby who is now 23) this last week. We have spent a lot of time together since his accident. He was telling me that he remembered when I would come to help out his class at school and how he would want to cry when I left because he wanted to go home with me. LOL. He was truely my boy and we were (and still are) so close. He was also the one who loved to have me take his photos….and still allows me to! I even got one of him in his arm sling for my Project 365. I just haven't been able to put them up because of my computer crash.
I love your weekend posts. :-)
Awww you are such a good mom :) He is adorable too! Little heart-breaker :)
Thanks Cathy :) He IS an awesome kid :)
Ingrid – you are so right about the silly part, he is a clown!
Flourchild – thanks! Yes they do grow up fast :(
Cari – Aww! I'm glad it touched you the same way it did me :) Whenever you are having one of those days you want to pull your hair out, take a deep breath and smile :)
Rebecca – LOL Ah yes that tattoos. Just being silly!! And he scrubbed them off his face and had bumps on his cheeks for 3 days afterward. :-P
Katrina – Thank you katrina! Gotta love him :)
Megan – My husband complains about not seeing my daughter (she is 15 too!) all the time. She's always in her room because she is surrounded by boys. Her and I are really close, can't imagine how I'll cry the day she leaves the nest :(
Julie – Thanks! I know, I guess all we can do is hope they'll visit us when we're old!
Shelby – I love how your son remembered that about school! I hope mine will remember too :)
Nanny – Thank you! he's my punkin ;)
Happy birthday to your son :)