Our oldest son turns eight tomorrow. My husband remembers turning the Big 8, and it was BIG for him. He felt like he really was entering a new stage of life, that this was a monumental birthday.

Our son feels the same.

His pending birthday has been making him contemplative. Yesterday's errand run was full of thoughtful questions and observations:

• "Why is it that we get that feeling that we've done something wrong when we haven't? What should we do when we get that feeling?"
• "I don't always try to be nice to people. I try to be myself, normal. But sometimes a lot of niceness comes out."
• "You know, I really feel like 8 is getting a lot older. I have a feeling I'm going to turn 8 and say to myself, 'Welcome to the world.'"

But the kicker was when he said, "Mom? I really DO feel like I am getting older."

"You do?" I asked. (I'd been thinking the same thing.)

"Yeah. I've got these long black hair thingys on my knees."