It's bittersweet to watch your child grow up. You want them to grow up into amazing people, and in some ways, each stage is more wonderful than the last. But by growing up, you have to say goodbye to the sweet innocent baby you once held in your arms, and the child that looked to you for everything. It's closing one chapter to start a new one, and you have no idea where the next chapter takes you. It's scary and fun. And for me a little bit sad. But alas we move on...
This year was a fun one. My kiddo started the year somewhere around 38 pounds, 43.5" tall, in a high-backed car booster, not able to read, and not able to add or subtract. It was her first year of school sitting at a desk of her own instead of a table. It was her first year of what I think of as a structured learning. She took tests this year, she had homework most nights and each weekend, she had a reading group at school, she participated in cross country and the Internation Club, learned to play the violin, learned to read some music, learned to read in general, aced a whole bunch of spelling tests and did a whole lot of math homework ranging from simple geometry, addition/subtraction, fractions, time, money, measuring, and more... It's a lot of fundamental learning!
I remember when her teacher did the home visit before school started, she told us all the things that first graders learn. She mentioned math, reading, and spelling in general. I had spent that entire summer working with my kiddo to help her read and it was a massive struggle with everyone ending up frustrated. So after hearing these three topics, after the teacher left, my kiddo was terrified and upset. She didn't know how to do any of those things and didn't want to go to first grade. She kept going on about how she had no idea how to spell. In the end, she learned all three and only missed 2 points total out of all her spelling words!
This was her first year taking a state test to evaluate the students for academic achievement. She ended up sick on day one of the exams, being sent home with a 103-degree fever followed by a week-long absence where she had to make up the remainder of her exam. It was also her first exposure to the exam so I took the scores lightly. She didn't do terribly but has some obvious struggles. At least we have a focus.
She medaled in cross country, as a first grader among mostly older students. In particular, I recall talking to the mom on an 8th grader and this student was so disappointed in herself because she let a 1st grader beat her. I try to remind my kiddo of that often...don't let what you think you can't do hold you back!
She played the violin, and while she started the year wanting to play it, she struggled and decided she would rather try piano. When her violin teacher asked her if she would be playing again the following year, instead of saying no, she told him she might be moving and wouldn't be at that school. She learns passivity from me! Anyway, I think we'll try piano next year.
This year also saw her class leading chapel for the first time, each child having a turn speaking in front of a crowd. They participated in the school Christmas program (not with early childhood classes) and had a fun Veggie Tales themed Spring concert. She participated in the strings Christmas program but since she was inexperienced with the violin, she was pretty bummed about it.
We end the year over 48" tall, 41 pounds, and in a regular booster. It's been a whirlwind. I'm not ready for it to be over but...well...you remember that feeling you got as a kid on the last day of school? You were sad that you wouldn't see your friends all summer and if you liked your teacher you were sad to leave them behind but once you were out the door, homework-free with loads of leftover school supplies, that feeling...I'm so happy she gets to have that feeling. So for me, I'm sad, for her, I'm giddy with excitement!
