Sometimes it takes a picture

to show you what's happening right before your eyes.

My Little Friend isn't so little anymore. I took this pic of him at the last Pinewood Derby we will ever have to endure - where he took in stride the fact that his car didn't do too well - and I was just shocked when I saw it.

Gone is the softly rounded baby face. Gone are the dimpled little hands. Gone is the visible sweetness and general air of innocent childhood. Present in the place of those things are large, manly hands, puberty, and a growing awareness of the big, big world.

It's a transition for me - my littlest one is growing up.