Changing & Growing

"My legs hurt Mom!"

This is what I heard when Payton got out of bed first thing this morning. In the past I may have worried about it, but now I know...it's growing pains.

I don't remember experiencing growing pains myself, but from what I've read, it's much more common in boys, so maybe that's why. Payton has always been a tall kid for his age, but recently he's sprouted up so fast, I can't keep up with it! All of his pant-style pajamas are a good 2-3 inches too short. All of his "size 7" shorts are way too short, and all of the sudden his new tennis shoes that I bought "just a bit too big" so he would have some room to grow... now fit him. He's physically growing so fast I'm afraid I'm going to blink and he'll be standing, looking at me eye to eye.

But he's also growing mentally, which of course is a good thing, but startles me sometimes. He's blazing through thick chapter books, knows more about computers than I do, and has a really quick wit (which to me, is a sign of real genius). He makes me laugh out loud at least once a day.

Brian had one of our old computers refurbished so that Payton could have his "own computer." He thinks he's such hot stuff, let me tell you. Good thing he doesn't care that it weighs about 10 pounds.

He's also really into ninjas now too, ever since Lego came out with their animated "Ninjago" series. He's had me (and his Aunt Amanda - thank you again!!!) on a wild goose chase looking for this green ninja costume for Halloween.

I happened to be in JoAnn's today and all of their Halloween stuff was 40% off, so I found a ninja sword and nun chucks for about $2 a piece. Do you think he's happy about them? Well, let me re-phrase that... he was VERY happy about them. So much so, that he had to make these crazy ninja faces and run all over the house swinging the nun chucks.

Long gone are the days of Thomas the Train and Mario Brothers. I guess we've entered a new phase of boy-hood. One that involves daily deodorant application (no joke), swinging ninja swords, and size 10 clothing.

Where did my little baby go...

He's growing up so fast. I don't want to miss a second of it!

Love you buddy.