Oh How Time Flies

Tomorrow is my son's 4th birthday. FOURTH.
I can't stand it. Where did my baby boy go? Heck, where did my TODDLER go? HE is officially "all boy", and quite the grown up little kid. The only thing saving my sanity is that he still loves to snuggle me, and give me those sweet little-boy kisses that every mommy craves. It won't be long now until he belongs to his daddy. There will be fishing trips, hunting, dogs, and just general "daddy time". I'll be chopped liver. I used to think that would be a good thing, because I'd have more time for my hobbies and housecleaning. Now, I want a re-count. He's growing up too fast...I want my baby back.
And yet, I am so excited by everything he is learning! Every day it is something new, and he is growing smarter and smarter all the time. He is truly finding himself and developing his own personality. I am finally seeing more in him than just the cloned-genes of his daddy. (We're pretty sure the doctor just put me under and implanted a mini-Matt clone.) Every once in a while, I see a glimpse of me. The stubbornness, the determination, the sensitivity, and, oh yes, even the vengeance gene (as seen at preschool when he pulled the chair out from under an unsuspecting classmate in retaliation for a wrong done upon him earlier that day). He is my boy, too, and I'm not giving him up just yet.
This afternoon we're having a birthday party at school for him. As usual, I went a bit overboard with the activities, but after all, it IS his first "School birthday party".
Tomorrow we will have the immediate family (the local ones at least - we'll miss you this year Grandma and Grandpa G, Auntie Anne and Uncle Roger!) over to the house for baked tortellini and cake and ice cream. And, of course...the presents. He is really looking forward to the presents.
So, until next week, send birthday wishes his way - I'll post pictures soon!