I kissed my little guy goodbye tonight for five whole days.
We've been planning his trip to Michigan with my Mom, his weekend stay with Ryan's parents and his camping trip on Lake Michigan. We've been making lists and checking them twice. I've been squeezing in all the extra cuddles and puzzles and swims and books and special snacks I possibly can so I can think about them when he's gone.
But somehow, it still manages to sneak up on me.
He's a big boy and he has quite an agenda for his five days away. There will be a few exchanges among Grandparents and some long car rides and I was beginning to get worried that he wouldn't have a good grasp of what to expect or where he would be sleeping each night.
So, yesterday evening he and I were chattering together about the sandcastles and pool parties in his near future and I asked him if he'd like to come upstairs with me for a minute. I have no idea how he knew what I was thinking but as he followed me up the stairs he said, "Oooh! Are you going to draw me a calendar?"
He knows his Mama well.
We sat down at a desk with a bucket of crayons and a piece of printer paper and I outlined the coming days on a 4-year-old level.
This little piece of paper (which has been carried around every room of our house and is currently folded up in his duffle bag) has become his number one possession.
After we drew everything out and talked about what each day means, he took the calendar to his Daddy and told him - with authority - what he was going to do each day and where he was going to sleep each night.
And let me tell you, I'll be keeping a close eye on that calendar as well. Those stick people on the second Wednesday are going to be very happy to be reunited with their little blue stick son.
I'm going to miss him terribly. But, knowing that he understands what he's doing and when makes me feel like a little bit of me is there with him to remind him 'what's next'.
Have fun little guy! You are in excellent hands - with your grandparents and with your Heavenly Father.
Love,
Mama