It's hard to believe, but Calev turned 10 years old. In some ways, it seems like such a long time ago that he was just a liitle guy, crawling around, and in other ways it seems like yesterday.
I remember when he was born, and I was figuring out how old I would be when he was 5, 10, 16 and driving, graduating... I was 22. Looking ahead ten years was impossible. So much has changed, yet so much has (nicely) stayed the same.
It's funny- Calev really didn't want to turn 10. He was actually a little upset about it. He kept saying "this is my last year as a single digit- for the rest of my life, I'll be a double digit!" I reminded him he may someday be a triple-digit, but it didn't seem to make him feel any better.
I remember when he was born, and I was figuring out how old I would be when he was 5, 10, 16 and driving, graduating... I was 22. Looking ahead ten years was impossible. So much has changed, yet so much has (nicely) stayed the same.
It's funny- Calev really didn't want to turn 10. He was actually a little upset about it. He kept saying "this is my last year as a single digit- for the rest of my life, I'll be a double digit!" I reminded him he may someday be a triple-digit, but it didn't seem to make him feel any better.
He doesn't want to grow up. I'm glad he wants to be a kid. I remember being ten, and all I could do was count the days til' I was a teenager, then an adult so I could be "free". Of course kids have no idea how free they really are. Kids today seem to grow up too fast, so it makes me happy that Calev wants to enjoy his childhood for as long as he can. Because it's really so so short.
I think, too, that some of it stems from the fact that he has two much younger siblings. They are still so dependent, and demand so much attention. I wonder if Calev sees growing up as growing further away from the dependence and on Richard and I. I wonder if in some ways, he fears being "left out " because he needs less and less of the type of constant attention the toddlers need.
Of course, Calev gets a lot more one-on-one time from both of us. Once the kids are asleep at 7, we play games, help with homework, cub scout stuff, sport stuff, bring him to do the things that are hard to do with toddlers, etc etc. When he's reminded of that, he's always like, "oh yeah!"
Calev finally got his much dreamed about mountain bike for his birthday. He has wanted one for awhile, and has looked them all over many times at the stores. It took a little getting used to because it's so much bigger than his old bike, but he loves it. As the days pass, and he realizes how much more he can do compared to his younger sister and brother (like ride his bike to his friend's, make what he wants for breakfast, etc) he appreciates being 10 a little more.
I think, too, that some of it stems from the fact that he has two much younger siblings. They are still so dependent, and demand so much attention. I wonder if Calev sees growing up as growing further away from the dependence and on Richard and I. I wonder if in some ways, he fears being "left out " because he needs less and less of the type of constant attention the toddlers need.
Of course, Calev gets a lot more one-on-one time from both of us. Once the kids are asleep at 7, we play games, help with homework, cub scout stuff, sport stuff, bring him to do the things that are hard to do with toddlers, etc etc. When he's reminded of that, he's always like, "oh yeah!"
Calev finally got his much dreamed about mountain bike for his birthday. He has wanted one for awhile, and has looked them all over many times at the stores. It took a little getting used to because it's so much bigger than his old bike, but he loves it. As the days pass, and he realizes how much more he can do compared to his younger sister and brother (like ride his bike to his friend's, make what he wants for breakfast, etc) he appreciates being 10 a little more.
He's such an amazing kid. I love watching him grow, and seeing how his unique personality develops. He is incredibly artistic, and can draw anything. He loves cars (that's mostly what he draws), but he is starting to get interested in model trains- you know- those really complicated ones that are really detailed and can take up an entire room after a few years. We don't have the space right now, so luckily he can't afford much on his $4 a week allowance. That's $4 before extra jobs and stuff. He says his allowance isn't big enough. I have no experience with this- is $4 a good amount for a 10-year old????
When he grows up, he wants to be a wildlife photographer. That's on top of an artist, an antique car restorer, an astronaut, a veterinarian, and a pro-soccer player. What a wonderful way to see life- as an endless open canvas, full of hopes and possibilities. That's so easy to lose sight of during our everyday busy lives.
He helps me keep in mind what's REALLY important. I'm just so grateful to be able to watch him grow, love him, and enjoy every minute that he's still a child. I don't want to wake up one morning, wonder where the time went, and regret not spending it more wisely.
