Kindergarten is in the books!

My last day walking my kindergartner to school with just the two of us.  

The last week of kindergarten was an emotional one!  When I said "Today is your last Monday of kindergarten!"  the tears began, for both of us.  And it was the same on his last Tuesday, last Wednesday, last Thursday, and the very last day of school.  He really loves school.

4 kids were absent, already traveling to their home countries

Freddie and Ms. Shappee

Charlie, Hans, and I got to visit Freddie's class with other families to celebrate the end of the year and look through all of Freddie's work through the year.  So amazing to see how much he has grown academically.

I drew a picture and wrote a note on every single lunchbox napkin this year.  Wonder when he'll ask me to stop.

The last day of school he asked that the whole family walk him to school and pick him up.  He had decided we'd have a lunch celebration since it was a half day of school.

Last day of kindergarten!

The walk the last day of school was just like all the others.  He had to run ahead to get into the building as soon as possible!

My boy picked Popeye's for lunch.  I didn't complain, but did find it funny that this was his idea of a big meal out.

He got his report card, and all rave reviews except for one comment from his music teacher about "more singing and less talking."  He is quite the social butterfly, but he did take this comment to heart and seemed a bit bummed that it was written on his report card.  That's the consequence of being silly in music.  Something to improve on next year, my love.

First day of summer vacation

Can't believe he's finished kindergarten, and moving up to 1st grade!  I am so very proud of him, and so thankful for a successful start to school.

Worth it

It was so very quiet...usually a hint that something's amiss.  But there was Freddie reading the Ninja Turtles Pizza Party story to Hans.  So thankful for brothers.  They do really take care of each other.  And so proud of Freddie for his hard work with his reading.  He's right in the middle of the pack in his class, a perfect spot for him.  He's obviously proud of himself as well, which I really like, as he has been super motivated to practice his reading lately and has been challenging himself with more difficult texts.

The Winter Concert

Please note that this is THE Winter Concert.  Freddie has been talking about this since the first week of school.  "The auditorium is going to be packed, Mom!" he'd tell me each time we talked about it.

He was excited to be on stage, and especially excited to get dressed up complete with a tie.  Although the mystique of the tie quickly wore off when I buttoned  his shirt all the way off.  He was still very proud of how he looked all dressed up.

There are six kindergarten classes, over 100 kids, so the music teacher had his work cut out for him.  

I loved watching Freddie cha with his buds before the concert started.  Charlie secured us seats close to the front and Freddie easily found us in the crowd.

I love the sound of those little voices.  Quite a production getting them all up there and settled and ready.

Freddie sang all of the three songs, at least his mouth was moving.  He had been singing around the house for several weeks and so I do think he was truly singing up there.  The music teacher is quite a character and very emphatic about the kids projecting, so Freddie was certainly going to do as told.

And of course a video...

The "kindergarten chorus" performance lasted about 10 minutes, and everyone was completely worn out afterwards.  Absolutely one of my favorite things about kindergarten so far.

PreHalloween Festivities

Freddie's teacher and her son

Freddie's school had a Halloween Carnival fundraiser which the boys and I attended.  It kicked off the start of several days of costume wearing and junk food eating.

The boys pulled out their fireman's garb for the event.  Mama was a bit sad to see how much the boys have grown.  It's probably the last year for these costumes.  Sniff.

It was great to see Freddie with his friends and meet some other families.  It was nice to see my little boys so comfortable and confident, cruising around the school yard.  Hans was beyond thrilled he got to join in and be a part of the action on the school yard.  Freddie took great care of him and showed him all of his favorite spots to play tag and recess games.

Interestingly enough Fredde showed some thoughtful spending habits that afternoon.  He had a limited number of tickets and after a discussion about the cost of tickets and how many tickets each game cost he passed on several before finally spending his tickets.

A nice afternoon, and just the beginning of our Halloween fun.

Midweek Report

So far, so good....

• Parents have to kiss their babies goodbye at the door now and send them in on their own.  Freddie just seems to get swallowed up by the pack of kids pushing into the front doors of school, but he's definitely one of the pack, holding his own, chatting with everyone around him.  
• Everything that has gone to school has come home:  lunch box, thermos, containers, fleece, water bottle, snack container, and his homework folder.  He's very insistent that I heck his homework folder every day.
• He's quite motivated to be a good listener and earn a star.  10 stars = a trip to the treasure chest.
• There's a daily report from him concerning who wasn't a good listener, but his name is never ever included in his list.  
• Routines and procedures like raising your hand to use the bathroom are old hat.  He's gone out to the bathroom a few times, and it sounds like he likes that he does this all by himself.  (Most of the kindergarten classrooms have an attached bathroom, but his classroom is on the 1st grade hall so he uses the bathroom down the hall.)
• He really, really likes recess.  He makes plans to meet his new friend James who's in another class at the slide after lunch.  Such cuteness.
• Thankfully he wasn't one of the two who fell asleep during library story time....he was pretty tickled to report that two classmates were asleep on the floor one afternoon.
• He's happy.  He's confident.  I couldn't be prouder.

His first day of school

Mama woke up early and got biscuits and bacon going for breakfast.  I had to go in to wake my new kindergartener, but he got up easily and got dressed.  Not much talk of the day until everyone sat down to breakfast, but the only concerned person was Hans...."Are those guys going to be my friends too, Freddie?  Will you play with me in the afternoons at the playground, Freddie?"  This pulled at my mama heart...my boys were doing their own thing now, separating.  Hans seems determined to keep them together and I know they are forever tied.

Before we left everyone got their kissing hand...

Put your kissing hand to your cheek when you are sad or lonely and the kiss I put in your hand
will go straight from your cheek to your heart

We brought Hans to school...

And then we made our way to school, walking hand in hand.  He kissed on my arms and side and seemed to have some nervous energy, but overall he was positive, upbeat, and excited!

Wardrobe change in the morning after he had a major butter smear on his pants.

We stopped for a few photos right before we got to school.

Showing his kissing hand

There was a huge pack of families waiting for the doors to open.  We saw some familiar faces and Freddie mingled.

Finally the doors opened and in we went.  Freddie's classroom in on the second floor.  He'll be going in all on his own beginning next week so we have another opportunity to practice getting there with mom.

peeking down at those still coming in the front doors

Once we found his classroom he went right in, found his cubby and took a seat.

There's one girl from his preschool that he knows in class and another friend he made from the playground, but everyone else was new.  The kid across from him immediately began telling Freddie how he was writing was wrong and to do it differently.  I could tell this shook Freddie a little and I had to restrain myself from taking this kid out.  Probably would not have made for a great day for Freddie, so I held back.  

I wanted a few more photos, but felt anxious and knew I shouldn't linger.  He needed to be left to do his thing, and he was totally fine to do so.  I moved to the hall for a bit and just peeked in the door for a bit before finally feeling the tears starting and so I got outta there quick!

It was just a half day so I picked him up at 11.30 inside the hallway.  I peeked down the hallway and spotted him right away as I waited in line to sign him out with his teacher.  Once they're in school for full days they'll be dismissed from the schoolyard.

He was all smiles and full of kisses for me, and his first question was "Where's Hans?"  His teacher immediately told me that he showed the class his "kissing hand," and that he had a great day.  On the walk to the tram to head into the city he told me kindergarten was "great" and his favorite part was recess on the playground.  He also really liked gym class and the fact that the teacher just wants to be called "coach."  Ah, what a big boy.

After a special lunch with Dad, we went back to reunite him with his brother.

I cannot believe we are here.  Freddie is in kindergarten.  It is bittersweet for so many reasons.  But I am so happy for him, and excited for the next part of the adventure.

I'm proud of you, Freddie.  I am so thankful to have had so much time with you before dropping you off for your first year of school.  I am so thankful to share in your excitement about school and new experiences.  I love you as big as the world.