Kindergarten Graduation

I made it. My baby graduated kindergarten and I didn't cry like a blubbering idiot. There were moments where it was mighty close.

Here is the first day and last day of Kindergarten.

Is it just me or does he look like he is going to be in middle school next year?

It's crazy how I felt like Nolan would never start kindergarten, but maybe that's because I was paying for daycare for 6 full years. He's an old kindergartner with a September birthday. But I know what's going to happen now. Next, is 2nd grade, then middle school and then I'll be wondering how in the world he's graduating high school.

 He's been through a lot in his kindergarten year with mom down the hall and finding out every little misstep before he even had a chance to tell me, baby sister being born two weeks after school started, and Aunt Tonya passing away in the Spring. I'd say that he's done exceptionally well with so many big changes.

He's our little book worm. I wish I could take credit. He's this amazing little boy who's learned by osmosis. I remember at the age of 2 him playing with flashcards and putting them in order from A to Z and then backwards from Z to A. His mind absolutely amazes me. I'm so insanely proud of him and so grateful that he has a love for learning.

As a teacher I've learned really quickly that you can teach ANY kid as long as they're willing to learn.

I've loved having him at school. Yes, even those days that I almost strangled him because he embarrassed me. I just have to remind myself that he is such a sweet kid with a very kind heart and he needs to make mistakes to learn from it. Sometimes his mistakes just happen to embarrass me, but I'm sure I embarrass him more.

Kindergarten has been full of a lot of wonderful memories. His teacher, Ms. Japhet, is seriously made of the special stuff in heaven. She has insane amounts of patience and I'm so thankful that we were blessed to have her as Nolan's teacher and she has helped him grow so much this year.

I had the opportunity to go on Nolan's fall field trip while on maternity leave and Justin went on his zoo field trip in the Spring. Notice their cute shirts. Yep, another Daddy creation. Each class had a different color.

And many friendships were formed.

But most of all, this high energy boy is growing up and when I told him that I was a little sad that he was growing up so fast he told me that he wouldn't eat so much. How sweet is that offer? Although, the poor thing can barely make it an hour before telling me he's hungry!

I'm so so proud of you, Nolan, for the sweet boy you are and the one you're becoming. Keep on being your happy self because when you're happy, mama's happy.

Rice Rice Baby...

Every year the Kindergarten teachers at my school do rice babies. They fill up a sock with rice to weigh as much as the child did at birth. I've been looking forward to this since last year when I knew Nolan would be joining me at my school.

Unfortunately, the night before rice babies, I got several late night calls about my sister's condition getting dramatically worse. I had to miss it in order to be with her, but I'm grateful for those last precious moments with her. Thankfully, my husband dropped everything so he could be part of this special day for Nolan. 

It was a wild day Justin said but Nolan loved every minute of it. He had a lot of scooping to do because he was my biggest baby of all at 8 lbs. 4 oz. We will not discuss the weight gain during that pregnancy.

Lots of copy paper box lids bassinets were carefully wrapped for each of his rice babies. Later, the babies were swaddled and given the same hair color and eyes that the kids have to match them.

Here is Nolan's artistic rendition of his rice baby. 

 

I love walking by his room everyday to see his artwork on display...another perk of being a mom/teacher at the same school as him. 

This paper was my favorite. In case you can't read it, it says, 

"When I was a baby, I drooled. 

Now I can read. 

When I grow up I'm still staying with my Mommy. Good stuff" (I love how he always gives me a Patty Duke hair do')

The first day

He started school this morning,
And he seemed so very small.
As I walked there beside him
In the Kindergarten hall.

And as he took his place beside
the others in the class,
I realized how all too soon
Those first few years can pass.

Remembering, I saw him as
He first learned how to walk.
The words that we alone made out
When he began to talk.

This little boy so much absorbed
In learning how to write.
It seems as though he must have grown
To boyhood overnight.

My eyes were blurred by hastily
I brushed the tears away
Lest by some word or sign of mine
I mar his first big day.

Oh how I longed to stay with him
And keep him by the hand
To lead him through the places
That he couldn’t understand.

And something closely kin to fear
Was mingled with my pride.
I knew he would no longer be
A baby by my side.

But he must have his chance to live,
To work his problems out,
The privilege to grow and learn
What life is all about.

 

And I must share my little boy
With friends and work and play;
He’s not a baby anymore –
He’s in Kindergarten today.

Poem written By: Georgy