They're growing up

My son has decided to take up yoga. He's tired of being sleepy all the time. So he'd decided to wake up at 5:30 every morning and stretch out some to see if that helps him wake up. It will mean, he says, that he will need to be in bed by 8:30 or 9 p.m. We'll see how long that lasts. I should join him in the workouts, but frankly, I don't wanna be up that early! I've got to buy him sodas to drink, to see if that helps him, since he won't drink coffee. I wish you could have seen how much it pained the doctor to suggest that!

My daughter has decided she wants to get to school early every day to hang out with her friends before class. We went through a brief period where I would take her and grumble about it the whole way. The bus picks her up just a few feet from the house, and taking both of them to school puts a severe crimp in my own morning routine. So last week she started walking. The coolest part? She now gets herself out of bed, gets herself dressed and gets herself to school.

Like them turning 13 and 16 doesn't mean they're growing up enough. It's bittersweet. I love that they're taking responsibility, but it means they're growing up more. I wonder how many other parents of teenagers feel that empty nest looming already? These moments are as momentous as their first steps. And there are still more to come.

But anyway, now if their Mama could get her butt in gear in the mornings, we'll be in business!