181

That's it, you're done with Kindergarten. Despite the fact that you started the school-year in one district and ended it in another, there were still only 181 days in your school-year.

Words cannot describe how wonderfully proud I am of you. Not only did you grow academically and physically, but you grew emotionally as well. My shy little boy now has a gaggle of neighborhood friends that are constantly ringing the doorbell and you even warm up to adults more quickly than you did before. I can no longer *spell* things out when I don't want you to know what I'm talking about and you are now at least four-feet tall (probably closer to 4 ft 2 in).

I thought I would have more to say on the close of the school-year, but the truth is it's all right here and I don't need to make this long. You are pretty bummed that I don't plan on drawing you a picture every day next school-year, but this was a monumental task that I enjoyed doing for you and want to keep it as something special I did for you during your very first year of school. I am honored that you love the pictures so much and when I presented you with the final "book" of pictures, you went through every single one of them with me. That made it all worthwhile. I love you, baby boy; and congratulations on completing Kindergarten and becoming a big first-grader! (Because, you know, I always considered myself part of the next grade the day school got out.)

Celebrate

You had your Kindergarten Celebration today and man that was cute. Since you guys didn't get to have your winter program (due to misbehavior - not on your part), you had lot's of time to practice those songs. My favorite was the Jelly Bean song when you all bee-bopped up and down like jumping beans. Man, that was cute. You, being one of the tallest, got stuck in the back and I was in the back too, so the pictures I got are grainy at best. That's ok, I have it etched in my memory.

I could see you looking around, trying not to be disappointed if you didn't see me there, but you spotted me and remembered that I'm a mom of my word. I wouldn't have missed that for the world, kiddo.

Super Mario Galaxy 2

You got the new Super Mario Galaxy 2 this weekend. These games never get old and you enjoy letting me win all of the levels and then you can go back through and have fun.

This week is a fun week filled with books, games, blankets and pizza parties and I'm getting that same sense of nostalgia that I did when I first step foot in your classroom last July. It's easy for adults to tell you to enjoy it, but we secretly know that it's impossible to enjoy any age for at least ten years after you've actually been it.

Summer Fun 3

You love these pictures because they make you think of all the fun you are having right now.

We found out that your best bud, X, is not leaving right after the school year ends, but that you have a couple of weeks to enjoy summer break together. I even let you go with X and his mom to a movie - without me. That was a big step, you know. I don't know her all that well, but she is a neighbor and I knew the time is rapidly approaching where I am not automatically included in invitations to birthday parties and outings, because you are no longer a baby; and an outing without me with someone I somewhat know is better than someone I don't know at all. You are officially a kid. A big, little boy.

Summer Fun 2

The temperatures are rising, but the fun is just beginning. You've got summer fever something fierce and so do the rest of the neighborhood kids. The last couple of weeks have been filled with snow cones, ice cream, Popsicles, bike and scooter rides, and sun. As much as I loathe the heat here in the desert, I have to admit this time of year has a certain nostalgic charm and watching you enjoy it makes it worthwhile. 'Tis the end of the school-year after all!

Summer Fun

Snow Cone

You got a snow cone machine this week and you've already made yourself sick off the syrup.