As expected, loads of interesting things happened this year.
You entered pre-school in September and attended 4 days per week until June. You tolerated it well enough, I suppose. I noticed that you didn’t much enjoy that kids don’t always play exactly what you want to play or in the way that you want. You find the large group atmosphere overwhelming and continue to attach yourself to a warm, quiet adult in the room. You don’t care much for constantly being told that it’s time to do something else, despite the fact that you aren’t done with what you are doing. Your teachers expressed some concern that you weren’t listening or paying attention. I know that you were just ignoring them because you didn’t want to hear them telling you what to do. You do it to me and Daddy all the time. I understand. Also, I could tell how much you were listening by how much you were learning. You consistently came home with a new song in your head that I have never heard before. You would teach it to me and then we would sing it together. You began to sound out letters, point out shapes, and counting continues to be one of your favorite things to do. Even though going to school was never your “favorite” and you would have rather been taken almost anywhere else, I really appreciate you being strong and brave, making friends, and doing your best. I can only hope that you find Kindergarten more tolerable.
Very recently, I think you have begun to realize that 5 years old is a big deal. You have begun to voluntarily dress yourself, put on your shoes, attempt to put on your seat belt, and all sorts of other “by myself” activities. We still struggle a bit with you wanting Mommy to feed you, but there has been notable progress the closer we get to your birthday. You also recently wiped your own butt, despite your insistence throughout the year that you wouldn’t do so until you were 5. Your favorite activities generally involve the water. You frequently go to the splash pad with Grandma Ruby, the beach, and fishing with Papa Bud. When we are stuck at home for some reason, a water gun fight, the hose, and a sprinkler will generally suffice. Your bike riding skills are becoming quite impressive. Your confidence shot up remarkably when you were given a set of pads and a helmet. I think you will be ready for those training wheels to come off when we get the bike out next spring.
You are currently only two small inches away from being 4-foot tall and you wonder aloud if one day you will be bigger than Daddy or Dylan. People are still mistaking you for much older than you are. Questions usually involve what “grade” you are in. A nice older man at our garage sale this year asked if you were about seven. My baby boy is certainly gone. But in his place is an active, boisterous, friendly, talkative, inquisitive, and sensitive boy that is adored my many.
A wonderful example of how you touch people’s hearts lies in the relationship you formed with the custodian at your pre-school, Miss Connie. You would say goodbye every afternoon as we passed her cleaning cart. You would stop, show her what you had made that day, and tell her to have a good night. She stopped me several times to tell me what a sweet boy you are and how special you were to her. This meant the world to me because I never thought your teachers really saw who you are. They were too wrapped up in measuring what you can do. However, Miss Connie saw you… you are a beautiful little guy with a ton of heart.
I’m proud of you. I’m proud of who are you becoming and I will forever hope that the world is able to see you as I do.
Happy 5th Birthday, Big Boy. Love, Mommy
