Still A Little Boy

Ethan took his first mega-big field trip yesterday, leaving before school started and getting home just before bedtime. It was a long, wonderful day that he had been looking forward to weeks in advance.

Last night, a very tired but happy boy came home just as his brothers were finishing bathtime. I told Ethan he needed to go ahead and hop in the shower -- he had hiked, gone swimming in the ocean, and traveled several hours (each way) in a van filled with other sweaty fifth grade boys.

"But mom," he pleaded, "I practically showered already."

"What does that mean," I asked.

"I washed my face like four times today!"

I'm holding on to these moments. Next year is middle school, and I have this feeling life starts to speed up right around this point.