During the days leading up to his party, Mason was constantly asking how many more days and who's coming. Although we explained it several times . . . and he knows his birthday is July 13 . . . he kept thinking he was actually going to be six on the day of his party.
So on the day of his party, several conversations went as follows:
Mason: So I'm six now?
Me: No. Today is June 25. You'll be six on July 13. That's 18 days from now.
Mason: But my party is today?
Me: Yes, your party is today. And you'll get presents today. But you aren't six yet.
After that, we counted down the days until July 13. And then the conversation went something like this:
Mason: Today is my birthday?
Me: Yes, today is your birthday.
Mason: So I'm six now?
Me: Yes, you're six now.
Mason: What kind of party am I going to have?
Me: We already had your party. It was a waterslide party. Remember?
Mason: But that's when I was still five. I'm six now so when is my party for being six?
Me: That WAS your party for being six. We had your party early since your birthday is during Vacation Bible School.
Mason (very matter-of-fact): So I'm not going to have a party for being six?
Me: You ALREADY had a party for being six!
Mason: Well, I wasn't six. I don't understand why you aren't having me a party for being six.
Although I think he's still convinced that he didn't have a birthday party for being six, he finally let it rest. Note to self: No more birthday parties in June!
When I look at Mason now, I'm just amazed at how much he has grown this summer. It's been nearly two and a half months since the last day of kindergarten. It's been nearly a year since that first day of kindergarten. And now this Friday will be his first day of 1st grade (yeah, why they want to do that to a Friday is beyond me). I'll be honest. I'm nervous about 1st grade!
A couple of weeks ago, Mason asked when he was going to go back to school. We hadn't even brought the subject up because I figured he would say he wasn't ready to go back. So I was a bit surprised when it came up out of the blue. I told him he had just over two weeks to go. He asked if that was a long time, and I told him it wasn't. So then he said, "Good. 'Cause I'm ready to go back to school." That wasn't exactly the answer I was expecting.
We went to orientation last week and met his teacher. This is her 20th year of teaching! He was a little disappointed that he couldn't go back the next day. And he's really looking forward to Friday . . . the first day of 1st grade. I don't think I'll need as many kleenex this year. But I'm more aware than ever that my baby, my little boy is growing up. He's no longer a little boy. He's a big boy and into big boy things now. With each and every passing day, he's letting go of me more and more. While that used to make me sad, I can now look at him and smile because I just can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for him. I often think of Hannah (the Biblical one) and how she gave young Samuel back to the Lord at such a young age. Of course, Mason is still here with me. But I can finally say with certainty that sometime during the past couple of months, I "gave him back to the Lord." I am trusting and resting in such peace and confidence because I already see the Lord doing a mighty work in his young life. And, I don't know about you, but absolutely nothing excites me more than being a part of His work!