Jacob brought Mom and MaMaw down for a visit on Sunday.
We hadn't seen Jacob in months and I believe that makes it a little easier to notice changes. When you see someone everyday, the changes are gradual and more subtle. On this visit, I noticed more significant changes in Jacob than on any other visit since we moved down here on Dec. 8, 2006.
At this age you notice that a child has gotten a little taller and seems a little slimmer. The physical is always the most apparent change. Very interesting to note was the difference in his movements. They are becoming masculine. You can actually distinguish the difference in his movements from those which a little girl would exhibit. When he brings his arm back to throw a rock, it simply has "boy" written all over it.
The big changes this time ran much deeper though. He has matured in many ways since the last time we saw him. He seems to have more self control, and he's capable of determining what others are expecting of him, and carrying through with what they want (when he wants to), and he seems to want to much more often than six months ago.
He has truly left babyhood behind, that place where the child is completely unaware of self. He has become self aware - conscious of how others view him. He tells jokes to entertain, enjoying the fact that he has the power to make others laugh, therefore make others happy. He gets a real kick out of this.
The biggest change of all is his awareness of the feelings of others, and his willingness to change his behavior for their sake - when
he feels this is warranted. And again, he does this more often than ever before.
He is only four and you can see the makings of a kind heart, a heart that is capable of putting others before self. It's kind of amazing that you can see it at such a young age. He's still a little boy - still in the making - but so much of the foundation is already there. I wish every parent could realize how much development occurs in these first few years.
I feel happy for Jacob. He's growing in the right direction as he leaves babyhood and toddlerdom behind, but it's still a bittersweet moment when a child becomes socialized and civilized and learns about compromise. It's everything you want for a child because they must gain these skills in order to navigate successfully in the world, yet... There are always growing pains, but sometimes I believe they're felt most acutely by the adults who love the child than the child himself. It seems to me that Jacob has crossed a significant threshold, and the adults in his life will now be looking back through that door, as he only looks forward.
The following photos show how much fun we had. Patsy and Bek and I went to lunch. When we returned we found a very dirty boy and a very happy old guy. As always, they never seem to have difficulty finding fun when they're together. They found an old board for a seat, threw a rope over a tree, and created
a swing. Now that's a worthwhile way to spend an afternoon.
They walked down to the creek to see the
BIG machines. The City is raising the road because it floods when ever we have a nor'easter or hurricane. The photos tell the story of a very happy afternoon. Enjoy!
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The photo above was taken in September 2006 during a nor'easter. Hopefully this won't happen after they finishing raising the road.
Reach for the stars ~
Let's grab a rope and throw it over a tree and have some fun! Yes, sometimes it really is that simple.
A boy on a swing ~
I know the following photo has a lot of motion blur, but what you're looking at is undiluted joy. We seldom see it in life, and almost never capture it on film. So, I had to include it.
Just hangin' and swingin' with my bud.
Window on the world ~
In the bucket ~
Check'n my rig ~
I'm too cool for my tool ~
I've found my angle ~
In the scoop ~
Poetry in motion ~
A working man's lunch ~
On the logs ~
Me and my favorite girl ~
Getting the looks ~
In the cab ~
On the rocks~
On the treads~ 
When all is said and done, we had a swinging good time.
Jacob also gave Herman watermelon seeds and Herman will plant them soon. I hope they grow because I love watermelon. Mr. M is reading the directions about how to plant and care for them as I'm writing this. Mr. M is a gardener of the first rank and loves seeds of any sort more than life itself. I guess they are pretty miraculous when you think of it. A homely little nubbin that grows into an unbelievable plant or fruit or vegetable. Magic!
