Faithful old floppy hat has come out to join us in our Summer adventures again. Tucked away in one of his drawers, we pulled it out on one of our warm days last week and he has donned it proudly, traipsing around our yard, looking for worms and snails as he often does on sunny afternoons.

And, the freckles too. Oh, those sweet freckles. They seem to dance upon his face when he is out running around underneath the Summer sun.

**Sidenote: Buckteeth. Yes, I just wrote that my kid has buckteeth. A trip to the dentist a few weeks back, reminded us all that it is high time for him to start loosin the thumb suck. In fact, so much so, that Dr. Rama has given us her cell phone number in case B takes a spill sometime and those two beautiful front pearly whites get knocked out. Unfortunately, we know our future with Ben will hold a very large orthodontist bill. ugh.

It is time. My mind says it is time. My heart… that is a different story. Why do I feel my heart strings tugging when I think back to him toddling off to bed, droopy pj’s, blankie dragging, inserting thumb and pointy finger in mouth, and then snuggling up to me as I tuck him in? It has always been his little ritual before naps and bedtimes and the beauty of self soothing.

And now, it must end. He is not a toddler any longer. He is a boy. And, oh how he lights up when we tell him that. “Ben, you’re such a BIG boy!”

So, a few weeks back, we had a discussion about it. How it is time. Explaining to him why and offering up prayers that God would help him with this.

And, you know what? It has been a breeze… Other than catching him mid-sleep with his thumb in his mouth and really only having to remind him a few times, “Ben, member what we talked about?” he has been pretty fierce in doing it all on his own and in his own will. It is as if he knows too… recognizing that he is growing up. My strong little boy.

Anywho… floppy hats, freckles, and buckteeth. This concludes my Simple Things Sunday posting for the week. And, if you’re new here and wonder what Simple Things Sunday is… let me refresh you. The past few weeks, I have gotten into the habit of posting an image or two from our previous week and linking it below… something that has made me smile. Something that has blown me away. Something simple that stops me and reminds me to be thankful. There really are so many. Even in the midst of living my {simple} life. I hope to continue on with this project and challenge you to look for those things in your life which are simple, yet extraordinary.

Happy Sunday to you all!