Saturday, August 23, 2008

Leaving a kid...coming back a bigger kid!

Yesterday I watched as my FIVE YEAR OLD swaggered excitedly around the house. "Is it time to go???" was heard at least every 15 minutes. He offered condolences to his little brother, "Sorry Max...when you're five you can come" and assured his mom that she would be missed.

Jake has been looking forward to this event for at least two years. It has lived in his mind as a mark of a big kid. He has heard stories of his grandpa and his dad taking this very trip and now it is his turn.

When grandpa pulled in, there was a mad rush to strap on his backpack with shouts of "wait! wait!" His fears of being left subsided when we told him that grandpa arrived early.

With some final packing, picture taking and goodbyes, my boy left for his very first backpacking trip. I don't know what they do up there on the mountain, but I know it will stay with Jake for a very long time. There is just something about bathroom shovels and freeze dried food that bonds guys together. May this be the first of many!

Ready to go!

T-Rex

Waiting Patiently


Thanks, Laurie! You made being left behind a little better. Max says as we are having our drinks together, "I bet Jakey doesn't get this! Because I'm two!"

5 comments:

SGT Sunshine said...

What precious memories and an awesome "coming of age" for your little men. =) I look forward to DH being able to experience some of these style memories with our African sons.

Coraly said...

Ok, not sure why that made my cry, but our "babies" are not so much babies as the are growing in to kids. Its funny to watch the toddle years leave almost over night and then the all the sudden they becomes kids. Kids that have their chore chart and responsiblitly's of their own. It makes me stop and think these years pass by so quickly.Enough with the sentiment!!!
I hope Jake has a great time doing manly things!

Jess said...

Your pictures are priceless. I hope he has a great time!

Sheri said...

Jake, I'm so glad that you got to go backpacking and now are officially a big boy! And Josh, I'm so glad that your times as a kid meant so much to you that you would want to carry on the tradition. (Thanks for including Grandpa. He had a great time and was honored to go!)

Yarngoddess said...

What a Memorable trip! Great pictures to preserve what the day was like. I can see the "GUY" in him spilling out! Very adorable!