Today is Joey’s last day of Kindergarten. Remember when I
wrote that super weepy blog post at 1 a.m. the eve of his first day? I do. That
was 9 months ago.
Nine months! That’s how long it takes to grow a baby from
non-existent to 7lbs 8 oz. Apparently that’s also how long it takes to grow a
little kindergartener into a first grader.
I feel like standing up and making an speech to everything and everyone who helped pull us through. Thank you to the
best teacher that we will remember forever! Thank you to the kindest bus driver! Thank you
to the wood playground and the cows that were always there in the field across
the street. Thank you snow days and sun days and Fridays and Mondays. Thank you
for this kindergarten year!
Joey can now read, he can make awesome fart- like noises
pressing his mouth to his arm, (thank you school bus), he can tie shoes, he can
survive in a forced social session and navigate a lunch line. He can name
letters, and rhyme, tell time, and tell if someone’s lying. He has experienced
kindness and friendship. Also pushing and being left out. And the feeling of
bringing the best ball to school to play wall-ball with at recess.
Spelling. Addition. Subtraction. Library skills and life
skills. Music, phy-ed, art, writing center, reading center. At five years old
we sent him off to learn and grow. To experience, to hold independence in his
hands. A well- rounded approach. Well- rounded just makes one roll faster. And
faster. And all months blur at the edges.
And Joey as sure as you know your sight words – know this:
when this beautiful world is spinning - you can lay down for a bit. Right in
the grass in our front yard. Your home is always the center. Watch the clouds.
(Clouds. C-L-O-U-D-S). There is
always time for summer.
