School's (Almost) Out for Summer!

And here we are, just one week away from Ethan's last day of kindergarten.  We couldn't have asked for a better start to school life than what we got this year, and we're eager to see what first grade brings. Ethan's grown a lot this year - I look back at the post I wrote on his first day of kindergarten and I remember being so anxious about putting him on the bus that day.  Although I knew he was ready, five seemed too young to be making such a big leap into the unknown.  But he did it, full of confidence, and his confidence has only grown since September.  Today, he knows where he needs to go and when, he gets himself ready, he packs his backpack, he knows his school routine, and except for a few recent slip-ups that I'll chalk up to end-of-year-itis, he has this whole school thing down pat.

One of the biggest transitions for me this year has been needing to rely on Ethan to tell me how things are going.  When you have a preschooler, you can walk him straight into the arms of the teacher, tell the teacher if he had a bad night, or if he's having an off morning, then return however many hours later and get a full report on how his day proceeded from there.  I feel very aware of exactly what sort of day Adam's had when he's not home with me.  With Ethan, on the other hand, I have to rely on his response to "How was your day today?", which is often a succinct "Good."  Although his teacher is on the communicative end of the spectrum, we still only get updates about once a week, and they are very general.  So I have learned a bit this year about how to really listen.  That the "good" spoken off the school bus is not always an accurate assessment of the day, and that the real stories come out after Ethan's taken off his backpack, gone to the bathroom, and saddled up to our kitchen counter with a snack.  Sometimes, if the story is particularly juicy, it doesn't come out until later when we're driving in the car somewhere, or until bedtime.  But it usually does come out (or at least I like to think it does), and I've learned that probing doesn't make it come out any faster.

I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to get involved with Ethan's school this year.  Volunteering in his classroom and with other activities at the school has afforded me a window into his daily life that I wouldn't otherwise have.  When he mentions a particular classmate, or a corner of his room, or his gym teacher, I have a picture in my head and can relate to what he's telling me on a different level.  And I've also felt lucky to have had some solo time with Ethan a few afternoons a week this year when Adam is at school.  We've used those afternoons to run special errands, go for faster bike rides than we can when Adam's home, take a sewing class, cook dinner together, practice reading, and work on his school garden.

Ethan and his first sewing project: a Tooth Fairy pillow!

Planting gardens at Ethan's school

On Wednesday, we took a walk/run at the Scarborough Marsh together, and while I have no pictures to document it, it was one of my favorite afternoons this year.  It was a perfect spring day and we saw so many beautiful birds, including a green heron.  Ethan alternated between holding my hand and challenging me to sprints.  He could have walked forever if I'd let him, but I knew we had to turn back or he'd never make the return trip home.

I've also cherished my alone days with Adam this year.  He is my little trooper, the one who does not complain about being dragged around to look at appliances, or two hours north to pick up tomato plants, or on our usual weekly errands.

Lunch in Wilton, ME after picking up our tomato plants

As long as he has his thumb, the Lion King soundtrack, and his mama, he's happy.  Before we head out for a day of these "adventures", Adam and I always squeeze in at least a game or two on his stay-at-home days.  Playing games is probably Adam's most favorite activity of late (well, that and color-by-number), and I love playing with him.  Although I was annoyed at the time, I'm pretty happy now that Adam decided to hang out in my tummy for an extra long time so that I get one more year of stay-at-home days with him.

And so next Friday, when Ethan gets off that bus for the last time as a kindergartner, summer vacation begins.  Ethan's signed up for a variety of camps which I hope will be fun and enriching for him.  Adam will stay at his school for most of the summer, with a week of camp and a few weeks of family vacation thrown in.  And while I'll miss the alone time I currently get with each of my boys, I am looking forward to some quality family time.  And I think these guys are too.