Celebrating Lasts...

Today I ordered the last elementary yearbook I will ever order. We agreed long ago to get each child a yearbook from elementary, middle, and high school in the last year of that school. Today, I ordered Jennifer's yearbook. This is a sign, we will have no more children in elementary school. It is surreal. How do they grow up so very fast?
Next year I will have one in 6th grade, one in 8th grade and one in 11th grade...wait time...slow down.  It's going by too fast. Too many lasts are being celebrated. It's going by so very fast. My kids are growing up too quickly.  I no longer have to cut anyone's meat, or rarely. I no longer shampoo hair or give baths. I no longer have to tie shoes or dress a child.  So many times, the last time we do something slips by with little notice. Jennifer and Hannah still like me to do their hair on occasion. I relish those moments. Jennifer still likes to hold my hand crossing a street or a parking lot.  I treasure, her sweet little hand slipped into mine. She is still a huge personality of a girl, in a tiny little body. Her 6-year-old sized body is precious. She still likes to cuddle and snuggle in close. Hannah still likes to cuddle, ...well, sometimes. Chris of course, it has been years since he has cuddled with his Mama. He still gives me hugs and a kiss on the cheek but I miss that little boy, cuddled up to Mama telling me his hopes, dreams and little boy secrets. I remember when he told me of his first crush, way back in 1st grade. Now, if he likes a girl,  he keeps it pretty quiet. I know he has a crush on a girl, but he is not revealing her name.
So...all you Mamas in the throes of toddler tantrums or late nights with a baby...........treasure those moments, try to hold on to and celebrate the lasts. Like the last time, your baby takes a binky or goes to bed with his or her lovey. It goes by faster than you can even imagine.