Forever Young

 Honesty first... this is just an excuse to post some overdue pictures of my favorite...

Also... apologies for the poor formatting on this post.  Not sure why it's all screwed up.

With Finn's preschool graduation over and thoughts of his upcoming kindergarten year in the back of my mind, I'm so grateful that I'm not working for the next month.

I'm relishing it.

I want and try, emphasis on try, to soak up each moment of my time with him  and appreciate them as much as possible. And I don't hold back in telling him how much I adore him.  To the point where he now asks me, "What would you do without me?"  I don't want to know.

I know things will be different when he starts kindergarten.  And I don't know it will look like.  On our way to our adventures today we heard Rod Stewart's Forever Young play on the radio aaaand...

I teared up.

Yep, sure did...

And I'm completely aware of how sappy and cliche that is. I googled the lyrics when we got home and felt a mixture of feelings.  Not complete sadness, but more love, gratitude, and hope mixed with a knowledge of how fleeting it all is, which brings about a circular thought pattern of remembering to be loving, grateful, and appreciative.  I think in life we're full of mixed feelings.  Simultaneously.  Pema Chodron says, "We are walking, talking paradoxes."  So, although I want to see him grow to be a healthy, evolved, loving, man I also want to keep him at the exact age he is now.  Can't have both.  I accept that. 

May sunshine and happiness surround you when you're far from home.
And may you grow to be proud, dignified, and true.
And do unto others as you'd have them done to you.
Be courageous and brave
And in my heart you'll always stay forever young...

And when you finally fly away, I'll be hoping that I served you well.
For all the wisdom of a lifetime no one can ever tell...

But whatever road you choose
I'm right behind you win or lose
forever young...

The excitement was building for the fabulous train ride at Hogle Zoo

Okay... this FACE!  He was displeased at being asked to pose next to the elephants.  He likes to pretend to not like them because I love them, but don't love crocodiles (as he does)...the logic is what it is.

He saw the sign for the "World's Most Dangerous Creature" on our Dinosaur Park field trip.  He didn't hesitate to jump behind there and "frighten" me.

This picture kills me.  We rarely eat in the car, but we were on our way to the aquarium and I wanted to get there by a certain time so I opted to go to the drive thru at Crown Burger.  I asked if he was okay to eat during the ride and he said yes.  At one point, I looked back and saw this.  I couldn't take a picture at the time, but that FRY continued to hang out of his mouth for the rest of the ride, so I was able to capture the memory.

This kid.  Silly, smart.

I feel safer with this guy around!

Killing it at Lego Star Wars.

You might not guess it right off the bat... or ever...but this little collection of sticks, leaves, and rocks is our offering to the "stick people"... yep...

Graduation day!  Happy/sad.

Not a fan of shoes in the house, but we're at his preschool celebration "Muffins with Moms."  One of the last preschool activities and I think we snagged the cuddliest, coziest spot.  Aww...