It's inevitable, before you know it your youngest one will no longer want to build blocks with you, squish play doh or race you home from school.
With all of his sweetness and playfulness I'm so thankful to have a 4 year old that can suck me out of any funky day I'm having with a simple laugh and a request to see who's the fastest.... "Mama, you wanna race? I bet I can beat you!"
Of course whenever anyone from the younger set challenges me to a race, I get hyped and remember my days of running track and field and excitedly take on the dare
But who am I fooling? I hadn't run in ages and to top it off It had just been a physically awful week for me and could tell something was off with symptoms from my Crohns disease resurfacing.
Being the freakin' genius mom that I am, I set him up with a greater challenge...
" I'm sure you can beat me, your such a big boy, but I don't think you can beat your shadow!"
Tristan gave me his one dimpled smirk and laughed while he boasted "Yes I can, watch me mama, yes I can."
You could see the pure determination in his face each day he tried to race, who he called his "Shadow friend". And he made attempts at racing if the sun and clouds allowed it, over an 8 day span.
Day 1 - They tied and he was so frustrated that there his shadow was, side by side. he kept looking to his right and then back at me, while yelling "But Mama, I wanna win, tell him I wanna win!"
Day 2 - It was like he had something to prove, the sun was shining and his eye was on the prize.Tristan just cracked up while he ran with all his might. I even raced behind him this time, while cheering him on. He seemed ok with his shadow always being in front of him since I joined in on the fun.
Day 3 - I just so happened to notice that his new friend was behind him and suggested that Tristan give it another go. He was ready!
While I watched his victory, it really had me thinking about how innocent and fun it is to just be a kid, not a care in the world! Wouldn't it be nice to let go of all the adult woes simply to enjoy a day of Peter Pan syndrome. Sometimes I wish my monsters never had to grow up but know it's just inevitable. In the meantime I'll enjoy all these simple moments watching my monsters being monsters.
What was one your favorite imaginary games as a child, or moment you've witnessed with your own kids?