He's a 2nd Grader

 

And BOOM.  Just like that ... another year is over.  He finished first grade having crushed it.  So super, super, super proud of him.  I mean really.  I am so proud of both my boys.  You don't really get like that whole proud of your kids thing until you have them and they start going out into the world.

 

Grady got some award on the last day ... History Buff.  I was like huh?  I know they all got them, they are just little paper circle medallions with like Recess Fan or Best Friend written on them and tied around their necks with yarn.  But History Buff?

 

So I ask him ... what does that mean?  And he says ... Its because I would tell her a lot of stuff about animals.

 

And he did and does fancy himself an animal expert (thank you Wild Kratts and BBC documentaries on Netflix).  She must not have had an animal lover medallion.

 

I didn't have documentaries and so much good programming at my finger tips when I was a kid.  When I was at home ... what was on was what was on.  I never would have chosen a documentary, I don't think.  But the boys are forever choosing the animal planet and BBC documentary film stuff that pops up on our Netflix now because of them.  The shark one is really good.  Next they are on Hunted or Chased or Killed I don't know what it's called but it's about predators attacking prey.

 

Anyway.  SCHOOL'S OUT!

 

This girl.  I can not get over her.  This post isn't about her but she's talking a mile a minute and singing and dancing and loves Cinderella (I am forever trying to record her saying it).  More on her in the next post but just all of a sudden ... here she is!

The end of the year party our neighborhood throws for the kids immediately after school.  The kids (most of them) jump into the pool fully clothed and it's the official neighborhood start to summer.  As I've said many times, the reason we didn't leave this neighborhood school back in 2012 just becomes more and more evident.  I heart our school.  It's a more established school in our booming town and I heart that about it.  We have seasoned teachers (and new teachers) and I love our support staff.  They are amazing.  Every person in that building has a heart for our neighborhood kids.

Our neighborhood friendships are still being developed.  At this stage of life it's mostly about the friends your kids make and I have been so grateful that the friends G has made have awesome parents that we are also friends with.  I haven't made lasting friendships with all of them.  But like last summer we traveled with his one good friend, and they are still amazing friends this year.  This year his friend in class was just as awesome.  He has been so great about picking kids his speed, and not interested in the kids who get in trouble or cut up in class but the kids like him who want to follow the rules, fly under the radar, and crush school.  Pray God that continues.

His PE teacher and I talked at Open House and she said she was worried about him because last year he was so attached to E.  When they weren't in the same class this year I worried.  But he has so many friends! 

And he does.  But he really sticks like glue to his buddies.

So proud of him.  So excited to spend the summer with him.  And really hope he continues to shine in 2nd grade!