Today’s the Day!

It’s all about #1! (iPhone 5)

Raspberry lemonade and Sour Patch Kids in my shopping cart can mean only one thing:

My older son will be home this afternoon! He takes his last final of his spring semester this morning, and then San Antonio and UTSA will be in his rear-view mirror.

We can’t wait to see him again!

Bittersweet Reality, Take Two

Almost done!

Last Thursday my younger son registered for his first semester of college classes as he pursues a management degree.

This morning it was his older brother’s turn. For his penultimate semester at the University of Texas at San Antonio. A mere 28 credit hours left until he earns his marketing degree and Electronic Music certificate (like a minor).

It’s an odd-looking schedule, but it’s the one that works.

And then #1 will be done! And I once again will be wondering why time flies by so fast when it comes to your precious kids growing and maturing.

Well, unless he moves back in with us!

Bittersweet Reality

Looks like a good schedule.

When my older son was a high school senior, he had to wait until he graduated and then attended summer orientation at UTSA to officially enroll.

But Sam Houston State is unusual in that incoming freshmen can register for classes early, as long as they’ve met with an advisor.

So my younger son was able to lock in his SHSU schedule for the fall yesterday afternoon. It definitely alleviates the pressure of scrambling for classes this summer.

But it also brings the empty-nest reality front and center for me. As always, I’m thrilled for my son that he continues to move forward with his life. Still, I can’t help but wish for time to stop rushing by so fast!

One-Word Wednesday

My older son smiles before driving back to UTSA last Sunday as spring break ends.

Bye!

Time Won’t Stand Still

My #1 son is congratulated by our former principal almost three years ago.

Last night I had one of those “can’t time slow down?” moments.

It happened when my older son and I were talking on the phone about his schedule for fall classes. As in the penultimate semester of his college career at UTSA. As in . . . he’s almost done!

After we hung up, I sat back in my office chair and pondered life’s inevitabilities. Time truly does march on, of course. But does it have to march so darned fast?

That UTSA acceptance letter and high school diploma? I’ve fooled myself into believing they happened sooner than later.

August 2010 at UTSA

Goodness sakes, the memory of moving my son into his dorm still feels fresh.

Yet here we are about three years later with my collegian preparing for a new start after a lifetime of education. It’s a sobering thought.

One son nearing the finish line, the other about to start.

I’m sure I’ll be revisiting these feelings several more times this year. Beginning in June with another high school graduation and at the end of August when that fall semester actually begins . . . for both of my precious sons.

Cue the Kleenex!

A Milestone Birthday

Age 5

This cute, little slugger . . .

Adulthood includes videogames

. . . turned 21 years old yesterday!

I’m having a tough time wrapping my head around that fact. Probably because it reminds me that:

1. Even though it seems like only yesterday that he was five years old and starting the spring T-ball season in Little League, my wonderful, older son is finishing up his junior year at UTSA. He’ll be a flippin’ college senior, for goodness sakes!

2. This man-child now is an adult. I need to stop remembering how much fun he had with his Thomas the train set and Hot Wheels and help him look forward to the future. Not that I ever will stop thinking about him as a carefree, little guy, though. That’s what moms do!

The brothers posed together last Friday, a couple days before the big birthday.

3. The kid is looking forward to three milestones of his own this year: Turning 18 on June 1, high school graduation on June 8, and leaving the nest for college in late August. My beloved baby boy off on his own! It’s so hard to imagine.

4. Last but certainly not least, I have a BIG birthday of my own in mid-August, one that starts with a six and ends with a zero.

That probably amazes me the most!

Extra-Tall Bro Photoshoot

Something seems fishy here.

Before my older son returned to UTSA last Sunday afternoon, I asked him and his little brother to pose for a couple photos. When my younger son first put on his basketball shoes, big bro protested. It’s bad enough the kid is taller than his collegian sibling; this added insult to injury. As well as an inch or so.

So big brother retaliated . . . by standing on his tiptoes.

Fishy times two!

Which made big little brother return the favor by doing the same as I snapped away.

That’s the long and short of our photoshoot. So glad they could laugh about it!

One-Word Wednesday

My older son left last Sunday to return to UTSA for the spring semester.

Bye!

A Gift From the Heart

My older son sprays away.

By the time your kids are in their late teens and beyond, you think you really know them. And then one day, they surprise you in the best possible way.

When my collegian returned home for his winter break from UTSA, his first order of business just about shocked me: He wanted to make a Christmas gift for his younger brother. This, my friends, was incredibly unusual, because it would be my almost-21-year-old son’s first do-it-yourself present.

Showing his not-often-seen sensitive side, my older son thought about what little bro might want and then sprung into action. The goal? Produce seven small, starred, orange balls similar to dragon balls, which are used in the Dragon Ball animated series that my #2 son likes watching.

It’s messy work.

My #1 son invested four bucks in a can of orange spray paint. We already had plenty of small bouncy balls that the boys used to collect. So while the kid was at school last week, his older bro was busy in our backyard spraying again and again and again.

The glove fits the orange crime.

At first, my son put the orange orbs onto newspaper to dry, which caused them to have bits of newsprint on them. So I gave him a corrugated tray, which helped the cause; however, he still couldn’t get the paint to apply smoothly. When the blotchy balls finally dried, he sketched his rendition of stars on them (and discovered that he absolutely could not draw well, which he was able to laugh about, thank goodness) and showed me the finished product.

I smiled and then wiped away a tear—this was such a wonderful idea but with such poor execution. Knowing how much his brother had spent on what he bought for the collegian (the baby Luigi plushie), I complimented my scraggly-bearded boy on his effort while advising him to buy another gift, which he did.

The kid holds the dragon balls.

On Christmas morning as little bro opened his big bro’s gift, I held my breath wondering what his reaction would be. Another surprise: He loved it, especially since it was handmade.

My #2 son likes his special gift.

My older son approached the kid and explained about all that went into producing this unique present, the highs and the lows. And then they actually hugged!

This just proves that it definitely IS the thought that counts!

Home for the Holidays

My older son smiles via Skype as the sixth-night candles glow.

Oh, how I’m looking forward to tonight! Not only is it the seventh night of Chanukah, but my collegian finally will be joining us . . . in person!

My “third son,” Chase, chats with his best friend in our living room.

As I type, my son is taking (and, hopefully, acing) his last final of the semester at UTSA. Then he’ll pick up his things at his apartment and will drive home. About three hours later, I’ll be hugging him.

I can’t wait!