Last night, Hubby and I sat down at the kitchen table with a glass of wine and started talking. I asked him about how his “baseball trip” went with Punky – they left on Sunday afternoon to go play catch at a nearby park while I stayed home with Kirby.

Hubby quickly tells me about he took Punky for a “driving session” in a parking lot as Punky was asking all sort sof questions about driving. He had him drive forward, brake, park, etc. When they got home, I asked both of them how there time was and they both quickly replied, “It was fun.”

Now, I could get mad at Hubby for doing this, but I can’t! This is what being a parent is all about – making connections with your kids! How cool is it that his dad took him to a parking lot to practice driving?!??!

And….I could get mad at Punky for telling me NOTHING when he got home.

But, I listened intently as hubby told me about the whole experience. My heart twinged a little, but HOLY CRAP guys, my Hubby is an awesome DAD!

This morning when Punky woke up, I gave him a huge hug and said, “Really? You go driving and don’t tell me anything?!??!!” To which he grinned the largest smile ever and said, “Mom…..I wanted to, but Dad didn’t say anything, so I took his lead! IT WAS SO COOL!!”

I sat down with a cup of coffee and started the barrage of questions. What was you favorite part? What was hard? What did you like? and Punky stops, looks at me, and says, “Mooooom! Now I know why Dad didn’t say anything the other day!”

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!??

Punky replied with, “Why do you have to ask me a hundred questions?!?!?”

Oh, the differences between girls and boys……..

I would sit and tell my mom EVERYTHING about my day.

Boys, I am learning, not so much.

So, I picked up my kinda-hurt ego, and said, “I just wanted to know how it went….”

But, then today happened, and something was different. The boys went with me to run errands, play catch at a park. and go grocery shopping.

There were a few more “That’s what she said” jokes from Punky.

There were a few sheepish grins from Punky.

There were a few more smiles and laughs.

And tonight, when he crawled into bed, he said , “Thanks, Mom! It was a fun day! Except for when Kirby made me mad at the park….but even that was ok. He was being age-appropriate.”

My heart melted.

I love you Buddy! I can’t believe how fast you are growing up! I am so proud of you and yet my heart hurts so much. I want to protect you. I want to keep you safe… but I am so proud of you and all you do each day! Keep learning! It’s a great big world out there, and Mom and dad are here to help guide you through it! XOXOXOXOXOXOXO!

Love,

Mom