When Your Babies Are Growing Up Too Fast

In less than 24 hours my baby will turn 8 years old. I am not sure why it sounds so old to me but I really feel like it is all happening so fast. She has changed so much in the last year and seems so much more grown up this year than last. I still call her Little One though and I am guessing I will when she is 20, but she just isn't so little anymore. This year she started soccer, has scored a goal and is this fastest one on her team. She is in the Third Grade Honor Chorus at her school, is taking a beginning music class at school and came in 17th place out of about 65 kids ages 1-12 at the annual Megan's Wings Run last Saturday. She calls people on the phone, can do most of her homework by herself and is getting good grades. She likes to cook, play with the dogs, draw and try everything, but she still holds my hand when we walk to school and sits on my lap.
My big baby has really changed this year too and is now 11 1/2 and beautiful. She tried out for the volleyball team this week at her middle school and had her first heartbreaking disappointment when she didn't make it. She started gymnastics last month and has been making all sorts of new friends. She keeps her room clean! She just seems so much more mature this year than last year and is working harder this year at school than ever before. I'm actually very proud of her and believe that she is growing into a wonderful young lady but I miss her needing me. It is such a fine balancing act that you have to do as a parent. You want them to be independent and confident but still protect them. You want them to be able to handle things on their own and are proud of them when they do but a little disappointed that you're not quite as important anymore. Oh well. Tomorrow is Heather's birthday and Cheyanne's will come up before I know it. My babies are growing up.