The Boy is Back

Hurray! My first born made it back in town. He has been vacationing for 11 days at the sunny resort of Grandma and Grandpa's - except he went in between Dave's parents and Mom and Dad's for a little variety. We would talk to him on the phone and desperately, I'd ask him: "Can I drive up there and pick you up? I miss you so". So sweetly he would respond, "Mom, it's going to be okay, I'll be home Friday." So there he is ready to conquer the world or EBay, without any help from his dear old Mom. This should be good, right? We raise our children to be independent and to be able to leave our nest and head out into the lives they create for themselves. But Will seems to do this with ease at 5.5.

Thinking back, Will was the child who wouldn't cry when we dropped him off at the church nursery or kid's club at the gym. He was more the type to cry when we picked him up. At 15 months he would walk bravely into any crowd of kids delighted for companionship with 2 toys in his hand, ready to persuade others to play. We should have known; when Will was 9 months Dave and I took off for our honeymoon in Playa del Carmen while Will stayed at Camp Grandma and Grandpa's for the longest week of my life. Dave and I actually packed up ready to check out only to find out we were staying a day longer. Instead of being overjoyed to stay in this heaven on earth I cried. Back in town, and ready for stories of an unhappy child I left with an itinerary of what he had done during the day full of scheduled meal times, nap times, play times in different stations - sandbox, flower bed, swing, etc. Disgusting; It's not supposed to be that easy...

Will came home Friday afternoon and we celebrated - balloons, banners, pizza, and cake. Will hugged his sister and kept asking "How many teeth does Avery have now?" and she just grinned and held on to him longer, relishing the attention of her long, lost brother. We do our bedtime routine and tucking Will in he asks: "Can we go to the kid's club tomorrow?” Before the balloons are deflated Will is back and ready to charge on with Mom just watching on.