when the boys are away, the girls will play

Slumber party at Kerry's this weekend. Cael is sleeping in a 'big boy' bed for the first time. We lay in bed together reading Curious George books and talking about the day. He fell out of bed the first night, but seems to have a handle on it now (and his mom learned to line the bed with pillows). He cries out and I come to comfort him, climbing into his bed and rubbing his back. But he says "No!" and "Go!" accompanied by the hand gestures. He wants to handle it himself. I want to cry with pride and that unique sadness parenting brings; we applaud their newfound independence while we mourn the loss of their dependence. And it is only just beginning...

Kerry and I admire our sleeping children together. And then we run downstairs (within earshot!) to stay up way to late eating cookies. We enjoy an uninterrupted conversation and a few moments of NOT wiping faces, changing diapers, and fixing snacks.