Growing UP and UP

It's all true - while one's offspring may have been voraciously hungry all through childhood, with growth spurts seemingly every other month, once they hit the preteen years it's another level entirely.  It's no longer the days of handing them a few pretzel sticks or apple slices or a biscuit to quietly chew on and be content.  No.  No longer sufficient. That plus the fact that a modicum of self-sufficiency has finally set in (after having first positively then, um, firmly encouraged to GET THEMSELVES A SNACK) along with some basic communication skills -  and the above photo is what results. Please note that this was not the first occurrence of a cereal box and bowl left on the counter - it was just the first time it was accompanied by a note, which was also (fairly) polite (social manners having also showing rare but sparkling appearances). 

I asked my preteen why exactly it was so exciting for him to be taller than me - I was honestly curious.  He said simply that it was a milestone. 

Of course that's not the only milestone that they've surpassed in the past while.  In my struggle to keep up with them, I'm so far behind on my writing schedule.  At this rate, my nephew's birth present of a book about the seaside dedicated to him will be ready by the time he can read it himself.  And my own children, having long since past picture books (in reading ability only - they still enjoy reminiscing/re-reading favourites), are still desperately waiting for a "chapter" book from me.  The format of which is evolving in my head but obviously needs to come out.  And at the rate I'm going, it's going to need to be an actual work of literature to match their reading level by the time I'm done.  It's a growth race - and I'm choosing to embrace this as exciting rather than daunting ;).