Never Forget What You Learned In Preschool

Batman has been learning his phone number at preschool this week. Each child had to call home today to use an actual phone to demonstrate their new skill. I have a feeling that this is just a little glimpse into our future relationship:

"Hey, Mom."
"Hi, Batman!"
"What are you doing?"
"Waiting for you to call me!"
"Oh, I'm at school. I showed my teacher that I know how to dial your number."
"I'm proud of you! I'll be there to pick you up soon! I miss you."
"Well, I gotta go. I'll see ya later."
"I LOVE YOU, BATMAN!"
"I love you too, Mom. Cool, cool. Bye."

I could hear his teacher giggling in the background at the ease of his conversation on the phone. I'm always impressed with his ability to communicate, even in his cool-kid tone. No matter how old or busy or prominent, I hope he never forgets how to call home.

every precious last

Let Me Hold You Longer

a poem by Karen Kingsbury

Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts;

First smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst.

But one day you will move away and leave to me your past

And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts.

The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips

The last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip,

The last night when you woke up crying,

Needing to be walked,

When last you crawled up with your blanket

Wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me still small enough to hold

The last time when you said you’d marry me when you grew old.

Precious simple moments and bright flashes from your past

Would I have held on longer if I’d known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park, your final midday nap

The last time when you wore your favorite faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten, last days of first grade,

Your last at bat in Little League, last colored picture made.

I never said goodbye to all your yesterdays long past

So what about tomorrow? Will I recognize your lasts?

 

The last time that you catch a frog in that old backyard pond

The last that you ran barefoot across our fresh-cut lawn

Silly, scattered moments and bright flashes from your past

I keep on taking pictures, never quite sure of your last.

The last time that I comb your hair or stop a pillow fight,

The last time that I tuck you in and pray with you at night.

The last time when we cuddled with a book just me and you,

The last time you jump in our bed and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson, the last vacation to the lake

Your last few weeks of middle school, last soccer goal you make.

I look ahead and dream of days that haven’t come to pass

But as I do I sometimes miss today’s sweet precious lasts.

 The last time that I help you with a math or spelling test

The last time when I shout that “Yes! Your room is still a mess!”

The last time that you need me for a ride from here to there

The last time that you spend the night with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster, stealing precious days that pass

I want to hold on longer, want to recognize your lasts.

The last thing that you need my help with, details of a dance,

And the last time that you asked me for advice about romance.

 

The last time that you talked to me about your hopes and dreams

The last time that you wear a jersey for your high school team.

I’ve watched you grow and barely noticed seasons as they pass

If I could freeze the hands of time, I’d hold onto your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning, you’ll be going far away

College life will beckon in a brilliant sort of way

One last hug, one last goodbye, one quick and hurried kiss,

One last time to understand just how much you’ll be missed.

I’ll watch you leave and think how fast our time together passed

So let me hold on longer, God, to every precious last.

Maybe Baby

The Joker and I have always dreamed of raising athletes. Maybe, just maybe, my baby will love to play ball! Robin laughed for hours as we threw the ball around today. He even said "ba" for ball - his first word is BALL! This has to be a good sign, right?

Prayer Request

When I picked Batman up from preschool today, his teacher asked if I would wait until the other children were gone so that she could talk to me about something. I waited patiently letting my mind wander in anticipation of the worst - had Batman escaped again? Finally, she said, "I have a delightful story to share with you. In morning circle, we always ask the students if they have anything special that they would like to pray about. Often, they say, my parents or family or pets. But today, 'Batman' had a special request. He asked if we would all join him in prayer to make him a real superhero." She said she couldn't help but giggle and then watched as he folded his little hands and closed his eyes tightly and said, "Dear Lord, pleeeease make me Batman. I will eat all of my dinner to get strong muscles. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Amen."

Superheroes

My house is full of superheroes. 

My oldest son "Batman" has recently outgrown the Toy Story craze and has developed this intense passion for all things heroic - police officers, firemen, the military, and his favorite characters with superpowers like Batman, Superman, Iron Man. This interest suits his personality well. He is adventurous, quick-witted, inventive, determined, and fearless. You can find him most days fighting crime in our living room wearing his cape and mask while jumping between furniture and seeking refuge in his 'batcave' we made from a large cardboard box. 

 

My younger son "Robin" is a superhero in training. His nature is the exact opposite of "Batman" - he is gentle, laid-back, flexible, and content. He spends his time between batnaps glowing with admiration as he helps his brother fight crime and giggling while he is locked away in a blanket fort aka jail as "the bad guy". Together, they are my Dynamic Duo.

My husband is known as the "Joker" around here. While his nickname is villainous, he is truly my superhero - he 'saves' me on a daily basis. He is my high school sweetheart and best friend. We have grown together in love, as parents and partners. He spends his free time wrestling the boys, building Lego cities, taking out the trash, and calling to check in during the day to make sure Batman and Robin haven't tied me up and taken over the house. 

As for me, I'm "Batman's Mom". I make sure they eat and sleep well, don't escape from preschool or into the night to fight real crime, and try to keep clean capes for them to wear. I teach my boys that even though they will grow up to be ordinary men without any real superpowers - they can still do extraordinary things!

I hope you enjoy following our adventures!