Today, in the middle of February in New York, it was sunny, beautiful, and 53 degrees F. We were pining for snow and freezing days so we could strap on our skates (that some of us got for Christmas and haven’t been able to use yet—and it’s not looking likely that we will get to use them this year to our bitter, bitter disappointment) and head down the road to the neighbor’s pond. But instead, what did we do?
This.
And, uh, this.
A little of this. And that.
And maybe this too. (Because when you find a big stick…)
Today my littlest rode a bike for the first time. With a little practice she understood how to pedal and was off, ecstatic, following after her brothers on their bikes. To be honest, my throat tightened a little. It’s all so bittersweet, this parenting thing, you know? Every new step is cause for celebration, but it’s so hard to say goodbye to what came before. And saying goodbye to these steps and stages for the very last time sometimes makes my vision blur, my throat constrict.
Bittersweet. No one ever tells you that. But I suppose until you’re experiencing it for yourself, you have no way of comprehending its depths.
Today, and every day, I do.
How could I not? Look at that. She’s growing too quickly. They all are, no matter how many times I ask them not to. ;-)
Hope you’re having a great week, everyone!
Aww it looks like they had a lot of fun. :)
They did. It was beautiful out. Very spring-like. Very not February-in-the-Northeast-like.
Bittersweet indeed – my lil guy has been sick on and off for a long time now, and as much as it breaks my heart to have him be sick, I cherish the bits of time where he lets me snuggle and hold him, where I still have the power of ‘mommy will make you feel better’ :) Brings tears to my eyes… enjoy your sweeties, it goes by too fast, sniff!
PS, I didn’t know you lived in NY! I’m on Long Island, we should chat sometime!
It does go by too quickly! And it’s been doing that since my first one was born over nine years ago. I couldn’t believe, in just his first year, how fast it all felt to me. I always thought that when people said kids grow up too fast, they meant over a long period from birth to 18 years old. I never realized I would feel that heartbreaking quickness in the first year, you know? *Sigh.* I wish they’d just slow down . . . at least a little.
(Yes! I’m in central NY. I lived in NYC for a couple of years, spent some time on Long Island while there. Had a friend who lived in Point Lookout.)