I admire my son in so many ways, but mostly for his outgoing, adventurous, loving, and kind heart. Although he has his moments when life (or his brother) trips him up, he mostly shows kindness. He loved preschool. His first year of preschool was in New Market at the Elementary school at night. He had Ms. Britt for a teacher and loved it. I would drop him off as he ran in and waved goodbye, sometimes. Most of the time, he just ran in and started playing. Although we loved the program, it was only once a week and it went until 8 at night. That's too late for my little guy who wakes up at 6 in the morning to go to daycare. We were so blessed this year to have our friends, the DenHartogs, offer to take him to preschool during the day. We would not have had this opportunity for Alex if they hadn't offered.
He attended Sonshine Preschool at Holy Trinity Church in New Prague, with his best friend - Carter. His teacher was Ms. Marilyn and the teacher helpers were Ms. Jenny and Ms. Stacey. Alex went every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30-3:30. Alex loved going to preschool for many reasons, but mostly because he didn't have to take a nap on those days. They went on three field trips during the year; to the Arboretum, the Children's Theater to see a play of Eric Carl's Hungry Hungry Caterpillar, and to the local park and library.
For Alex's preschool graduation, the kids brought and decorated their bikes for a bike parade in the cul-de-sac by the church. The kids lined up with their bikes and one by one as they played Pomp and Circumstance on the radio, they each got a moment in the spotlight to ride around the circle while family members cheered them on. Alex was so excited for this moment as it meant he was officially a big boy. He rode around that circle, standing up while pedaling and then the balloon wrapped around his neck. While this might trip up some other kids, not my kid (yes, I'm bragging). He didn't stop and he had a smile on his face the entire time.
As he heads off to Kindergarten this fall, I have mixed emotions. From being only a thought in my head, to the moment he was born, to this moment now, things have changed and I think about life differently. I worry I didn't do enough of things though. Did I hug him enough, does he know how much I love him, does he know enough about right and wrong, will he continue to love to learn and explore, and the list goes on and on. I worry about the cruelties of other kids, but mostly, the idea of "you can't get this moment back" runs like a bad movie in my mind. I worry about things I can't control. I know I will learn to let this go and we will all survive, and I guess this is what they say being is a mother is all about.
My kid is growing up into a big boy with a new-found independence. He doesn't need me as much, but he still needs me. He will always need me. He's my son.
