Second Grade

Before I get to the post about our trip (which is coming) I just wanted to word vomit on you all about this kid.  Somewhere, at sometime, while I was busy with the other two and folding laundry, he has grown up.

I bought them back to school shoes at the end of July, because I knew life was going to get crazy.  I took him to Dick's, had him measured.  Bought a pair of black shoes.

Flash forward to August and at a sports store buying cleats for baseball ... and those same shoes don't fit.  First, I about broke down and cried.  How the hell?  I buy my kids shoes with a full thumb in the toe.  It's like an inch of room.  In just a little over three weeks he outgrew those shoes.  I would love to tell you that I can just pass those shoes on.  But no.  Middle child has a wide foot.

All that to say ... he is growing so fast now.  I look at all the hurdles we've had in regards to growth and threats of failure to thrive and he has just battled and done great.  He grew 4.5" last year.  Gained like six pounds or something.  To put that in perspective most kids grow an average of 2" and 2 pounds after their second birthday.

He can now reach the key pad for the garage.  He is taking showers on the regular now.  I have changed up bath time and I'm not sure I'm going to go back.  Both my boys are just getting so big and grown.

He crushed his first day of school yesterday.  Got a bunch of good behavior awards (they hand them out like candy the first few weeks - but he did get a coveted camper award) and his teacher told me after school she was super impressed, he just jumped right in like he'd been there all week (if you recall he missed the first two days).

And I nodded.  Because we knew he wouldn't have a problem.  He loves rules and thrives with structure and authority and schedules.  This morning (instead of chewing his food) he was going through his schedule and I know it just gives him such a sense of peace to know exactly what's happening.

His best friend is in his class this year.  And they are sitting at the same table.  His teacher is a former teacher at his preschool and remembers him and I.  It is such a huge blessing to already have this foundation.  I can not tell you.  And I can already tell he is going to love her.  Love her.  Which he is owed, if I can tell you.

This kid.  I didn't do anything to him.  He came this way.  He is a bright spot in the universe and he just does good.  On his survey he had to fill out for his teacher (to get to know him) he was asked three words to describe himself.  He chose "Fun helpful Nice".  What was his favorite subject and why?  "Science, because I love learning new things."  If he could read about anything what would it be?  "Animal books."

Now on the what's important to you question reality shines through ... he started off wanting to write "ipad time" but then he looked at me and said "that's probably not right."  So he eventually settled on "family."

But he can feel social situations and knows what the "right" answers are.  While this is a tricky thing (we don't want to lie) it's an important skill.  Knowing that it's not right to say "wow you're hair looks weird" if someone comes in with blue hair and instead saying "you made a change!" is important.  And he's picking all that up.  His brother - who is more likely to point and yell loudly "why is her hair blue?" - is not there yet.  But he's still four.  So I'm sure that's age appropriate.

And David ... bless him.  He missed his brother yesterday.  And at 11pm I had to go up stairs and take him out of G's bed where he was sleeping with his head pressed against his brothers.  They sleep like puppies when they share space and it's adorable.  But no one gets good sleep.  The rule is they can sleep in the same space on Fridays.  That's it.  But D missed him.  And I bet I'll find him in his bed for a few weeks.

Second Grade.  Bless my heart.

But the one that gets me, that I'm not thinking about, is Miss J starts school in a few weeks.  I have been telling her she's going to go to school and have a teacher and play games and have recess.  Her response alternates between pride and "get my back pack?" to "NO."

And then ... my last year with my sweet boy at home.

And now I have to go cry.  Because oh my gosh it's just flying and they are growing so big and strong and sure and they are so good and I'm a terrible mother and I don't deserve them and I'm screwing them up.  Even with their huge emotional out bursts or their sullen moods and back talk.  They are way better than I deserve and these years with them being mine, all mine, are so fleeting.  And the years when a hug and a cookie make everything better are fast coming to an end.  Even with G I can see that there is some social thing that happened yesterday that he's not ready to talk about.  But I'm watching.

Also - pro tip.  Start by asking about recess.  Then go to lunch.  Then specials.  And I have a rule that I ask about school on the way home and then I kind of let it drop and then I ask again at bedtime.  But this may be kid specific because I know there are kids that just word vomit and have no problem sharing.  But my boys are a chore to get talking.  I ain't giving up kids.  Your mama will ask you a thousand questions about your day until the day you leave and then I'll probably send you really long emails with bulleted lists that I fully expect to be completed in a reasonable amount of time.

Second grade.  So proud of that kid.  He's going to crush it.