It's officially crock pot season! Like most working mothers, I put the crock pot to use once the weather turns colder each year. Although it takes some planning and prep up front, there's nothing that delights me more than coming home to the wonderful aroma of a home cooked meal, especially when I didn't have to "cook" it.

This past weekend I bought a turkey breast, planning ahead for the crock pot. We love faux Thanksgiving dinners, so it was the perfect choice for us. I simply popped it in the crock pot, added a bit of water, and rubbed on my favorite mixture of fresh rosemary, thyme and sage (all from my little herb garden), parsley, Tamari (soy sauce), butter and a honey drizzle. That's it! Done.

After we ate the turkey - not once, but twice - for dinner this week, it was time to make a wishbone wish. My son had never done this, so my husband and I were pretty excited. My husband arranged the wishbone "just right" so that my son would end up winning the pull, and then the two of them got into position. One...two...three... Pull!

My son was jumping up and down. He (thankfully) got a bit of his mom's competitive nature. When my husband asked him what he wished for he said "I want to kiss mommy". What? That's your wish, kid? You can do that anytime. Yes, that was his wish. I smiled and gave him a big hug and kiss. What mother could argue with that.

As much as I'm trying to savor every minute of summer and the joy that this fair and fleeting season brings with it, I'm never far from the thought that my only son is off to Kindergarten this Fall. It's going to happen, whether I like it or not.

I do like, don't get me wrong. He's worked up to this moment. His entire pre-school class is rehearsing their graduation songs and he's really into being 'big'. So what's the problem?

His life is changing. Mine is, too.

I've changed my work schedule to be more in line with Kindergarten hours. It's a big change after having him in daycare for the last five years for ten hours a day (and me at the office for ten hours, too). He'll have a shorter day. I will, too. He'll be carrying his own backpack, fending for himself in the lunch line, shuffling from classroom to classroom, riding the bus - gasp! It's a lot to take in for a mom who likes doing things for her kiddo. In the mornings lately, he's been standing at the door saying "Let's go mom. Come on!" and at school the other day he actually said "You're good to go, mom". No lingering in his classroom or extra kisses and hugs needed. I was GOOD-TO-GO.

To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure I'm ready for a truly independent, confident child, who needs me on a need-to-know basis. Of course it's what I should want. In fact, my husband and I have raised him to think for himself, do for himself, and to be a well-mannered boy. He just never "bought in" until now.

While my husband was in Houston this week, my son put on his clothes, brushed his teeth, combed his hair, put away his toys (without me asking) and engaged in all sorts of well-mannered behavior. He held open the door for me and "other ladies" at school, asked to be excused from the table without being prompted to do so and cleared his own plate. For three days in a row he kept up this routine. Are you kidding me?

Don't get me wrong, he's not perfect. What he most definitely IS is a soon-to-be Kindergartner with a new found sense of pride in his own ability. He's growing up. And until now, I didn't get the message that as his mom I need to "grow up", too.

What I know for sure is that come this September, the leaves won't be the only things falling. This mom's going to shed a few tears.

A day in the life of living with an (almost) five year old:

My son: "If the principal calls, don't pick up. Don't do it, mom." Me: What? My son: "I'm talking about when I'm in Kindergarten."

While busily discussing world news and preparing to leave for work, my husband and I failed to notice that our son was eating ice cream out of the container on our couch. When discovered, he smiled and said he saw it on Oswald and just wasn't in the mood for the waffle I made him.

I asked my son to go brush his teeth and he responded "you got it, girl!"

It's pretty obvious I'm not Mother of the Year, but I sure do enjoy being a mom.