Jared and the Chocolate Factory

My sisters and I took a trip out to Cerreta’s  Candy Company this afternoon.   Jared is not my most expressive child as you will see in the pictures…

First we met our tour guide (I say that very loosely).  She introduced herself as Candy, and went on to explain that it was family owned and run.   I couldn’t help it.  “Candy?  For real?”  For real.  She is the owners granddaughter.  Awesome. 

We did a very fast tour of a couple of the conveyer belts of choc covered pretzels and…  yup just the pretzels.  Quick tour.  We did get 2 or 3 samples.  Jared spit just about everything into the trash.  I however, did not. 

Then Jared and Carter made their own little chocolate pizza.

Carter was thrilled about it ALL.  So cute.

 

Jared was not your average kid in a candy store.  Quite melancholy for most of it.  This Santa was 5 feet and solid chocolate.   That’s the kind of Santa I can believe in. 

In this photo Jared has a mouthful he is waiting to spit out.  Is this my kid??  And then making the pizzas with Candy the tour guide.

A whole hand

I’m having a hard time looking forward to the joyous occasion of birthdays these days.  Especially this week.  For a single reason.  I’m just not ready for them to get any older.  Up until this year I was so excited for the milestones and the passing of phases.  

• Sleeping through the night
• Shrinking of the size of bag I lug around
• Feeding themselves
• Potty trained
• Learning to communicate.
• Picking up after themselves
• No screaming fits in the store
• Life doesn’t revolve around naptime
• Etc etc etc.

All 3 children are onto the next phase in childhood and I’m not ready.   Because what also comes with all of those very convenient comforts of growth are:

• Less snuggling time
• don’t kiss me in public
• No more lap naps
• Learning to communicate (barter/manipulate/negotiate)
• bigger clothes
• bigger appetites
• sending them to school

My little Jared turned 5 last week and I was not happy about it.  I asked him if he would mind repeating his fourth year of life.  He thought long and hard for a full second before declining.  Sigh.  I love you my tiny person.  Happy Birthday!