No More Diapers ... and other signs they're growing up

We are now a diaper free home. Sigh. Rejoice. Reflect. Rejoice ... lots of mixed emotions. Mostly celebratory emotions, but undoubtedly mixed with the reality that are children are growing up quickly.... AND ... We don't have any babies here. Boy, would I love to cuddle a baby!

Along with ditching the diapers, Mary Hannah has added to her grown up status gum-chewing and role playing. She likes to believe that she has achieved motherly status when she is chewing a piece of Extra and is carrying her baby doll. "Look, now there are two moms!" she exclaims as she trots on by. She also has an imaginary friend, Sally, who visits us frequently. Usually Mary Hannah greets her in our apartment building elevator and consults her when putting on jewelry and hair bows.

Avery has been getting taller ... so much so that a common question from any acquaintance is "How old are you?" Followed by a quick "Wow! You are tall!" He is enjoying his new status as a 5 year old very much, and tells anyone who will listen that he will be in Kindergarten next year. Avery is a great reader. He loves to read anything in sight ... including every street sign, and even pretends to know how to read a road map. Which, of course, means that he likes to tell us where to go when we are driving. Recently he has gained quite an interest in math and science. School is fun for Avery. Each day we have the same routine. We arrive at school, he excitedly runs ahead of me into his class and doesn't even turn to say goodbye when he reaches the door. Instead he bolts right on in and mingles with his friends. I don't mind. Actually, I prefer it that way ... The other day when we picked him up at the end of the day he turned to Chris and said, "I don't know why school is over. Do you? I love this place!"

Life is sweet for the Hughes fam. We certainly remember to thank God for such blessings!