Cole Growing Up

When your baby is first born, it seems like you are in a never-ending search for the next stage. This infant is so great, but I can't wait for him to sleep through the night. This baby is so great, but I can't wait for him to walk. This toddler is so great, but I can't wait for him to talk. And so it goes on.

On the other hand, it's also quite common to lament the passing of time, as if you wish your child had stayed at the baby stage or the toddler stage forever. But this post isn't about that; it's about how awesome Cole is right now.

Cole had the opportunity to go away by himself with two different grandparents on two consecutive weekends. Stacy and I were a little nervous about this, of course. Two nights in a row?! And not just down the road?! But Cole was really enthusiastic about it and so we went.

First he went to Smith Mountain Lake with Papi.

While I've never been, Smith Mountain Lake is apparently the most fun place on earth if you, like Cole love boating, swimming, jet skis, water guns and indulging in junk food.

There were all sorts of cool toys to play with.

 

Fish to feed.

 

Jet Skis to ride?!

 

And then, somehow, pirates showed up.

Cole seemed to have an extraordinary time and ended up back at our house, deliriously tired and sunburned, at 10 PM on Sunday.

The very next weekend, it was time to go camping with Gigi and Grampie Jeff! Cole has been in communication with them all summer long, plotting a camping trip at the end of summer. They were so excited to use their new camper for this occasion! When we visited a few weeks ago, Cole explored the camper and assigned everyone their sleeping spots. He has spent a lot of time describing what camping is like to Stacy and I, despite not having a clue to really expect.

 

But apparently, camping is awesome because you get to carry around a flashlight and play tag after dark.

 

And then roast marshmallows.

In the morning you can visit the pool to swim.

 

Or go to the arcade and race cars.

 

Then at night you get to watch movies. OUTSIDE!

Cole came back to use exclaiming the virtues of outdoor living and how he wanted to go again very soon.

It's amazing how grown up he is, although we ought not be surprised. In just a couple of weeks he'll start FIRST grade, he already knows how to read (like, fully) and can pretty much accomplish anything he needs by himself. Rather than pine for the past or anticipate the future, I'm choosing to enjoy having Cole exactly as he is: a big school age boy that's so very fun to have around.