The temps are finally in the 80s here, and we’re doing all things that looks, smell and feel like summer:
Summer camps, beach time, pool time, cabin time, vacation time (Lake Whatcom), kayaking, backyard berry picking, lavendar cutting, etc.
But before all of that, you graduated from Kindergarten.
This is a big deal. You made it through your first complete school year. You only have 18-26 more school years to go, depending on your academic route. As you may recall, your Mom and I were pretty emotional sending you off on the school bus the first day. That’s a parenting milestone to celebrate that we got you to this first stage of independence.
You have lived a slice of life that we don’t know about, other than the sparse stories you tell us. You have a large group of friends, many that you still get to see around the neighborhood. That’s a gift of public school I never enjoyed. It was always car trips for me to see school friends. You have games and songs and jokes that you teach us that came from the school community you’re a part of. These are the networks that help shape who you become and who could become lifelong friends. Remember that I met Uncle Scott in elementary school.
We’re also glad to have you back for the summer. Don’t take the summer camps that started almost immediately as reason we want to send you off again. Human beings can only handle so much parenting without breaks. It’s great to see you more hours of the day, share more experiences and just get to know you more. Candidly, I felt like I got to know Matteo a lot better this past year because we had so much time with him in half-day Pre K. It was his turn to get all the parenting attention that you got before he came around.
I know that Kindergarten isn’t just social growth, it’s intellectual. All those previously unidentifiable shapes around you exploded into your vision as letters, numbers and symbols that you’re constantly reading them and connecting the world. You love reading Dr. Seuss books and have gotten over the frustration when you don’t know a word, previously focused on perfection a little more than practice. Math has also taken a hold and you’re especially proud that you know 9+9 is 18. Counting in tens came to you much earlier.
You’ve inspired Matteo to count well into the hundreds and he adorably asks you to read to him sometimes, chowing down on some snacks he brought into bed. Those are the moments when I wonder, “How much longer will these kids need us?” You can get in and out of the house just fine, feed yourselves, navigate all electronic devices and take care of the animals. The only thing preventing you from driving is height. You’re so in tune with your routine that you remind us that we didn’t remind you to brush your teeth at night.
All of this adds up to a really fun time parenting phase. I hope it’s a long summer.
Love, Dad