"I pity the fool...I mean young lady"

He's about to turn nine...one year from ten...that two digit number you so desperately want to be when you are growing up (well I did... then it was "I can't wait to be 13, I can't wait to be 16, I can't wait to be 18, I can't wait to be 21, ohhhhh I can't wait to be 30 so I won't be in my 20's anymore, now...well I can stop all that mess!)

I recently took Eli to see "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" with a buddy of his who had also read the series of books. I knew the books were filled with potty boy humor and some bullies...it was about a 'wimpy kid' going into Jr. high for goodness sakes. Eli thought they were funny...and he wanted to read all the books so I didn't stop him.

The movie was enlightening for me as a mom. A little unnerving too though, as I watched these 11 year old boys going into Jr. high...the zoo of hormones and pimples. Oh, how I dread those days with a boy and my boy at that. At a young age this child was aware of how he dressed (please mom no turtle necks, dress shoes or collard shirts for that matter) and how every hair had to be in the right place. He mastered the swing of his semi-long bangs in first grade making sure he threw his neck to the right just at the perfect time so the girls (usually older ones) passing by saw the beautiful swish of his hair. He has never once mentioned having a girlfriend despite every one of his pals having had one at some point; but yet like a predator on the hunt I can sense when a cute girl is walking within his perimeter because he completely goes into stealth cool mode and watches his 'prey' with cautious eyes from afar. (yes, once we were walking through a parking lot going to cub scouts and he spotted a gang of college girls - yes college girls - he watched them with every step and made sure to not trip or act like the typical skipping 8 year old he was at the time! I almost died!)

Eli talks about being a teenager with such longing and my friends never hesitate to tell me how he stopped them in the hall at school to joke around or say hello with a great big flirty smile...my friends...the ones who are moms! He jumps out of the car every morning with eyes glued to the beautiful blonde standing in the road directing traffic (one of the teacher's aids...yes, she has to be in her late 30's!) He immediately tries to lock eyes with her and gives her a huge wave and blinks those long eyelashes at the sweet woman. I just laugh with her and cringe inside at the thought of what is to come!

But...like I said he still doesn't mention having a girlfriend and he thinks of most of the girls in his class as his buddies that he plays with and measures their coolness by how fast they can chase him.

And the best part of all...when walking through Wal-greens last night he (yes he) reached up and grabbed my hand to hold as we meandered down the aisle. He didn't even let go when an older man walked by and smiled at us! I will hold onto those moments for as long as I can...and "I pity the fool (I mean young lady...or older one for that matter) who tries to take my boys hand away from me..." just kidding folks!