Kindergarten

Ben is officially a Kindergartener! He is going to my old elementary school and I just think that it is awesome! On his first day of school both his parents took him to the bus stop by our house. I asked if he wanted us to drive him but he was more than sure he wanted to take full advantage of the cool school bus. The kid had no hesitation going up into that school bus, while his parents watched him holding their breath. His Dad was fine, but I certainly cried on my way home. When he came home his parents both eagerly greeted him asking him how his day went. He was so nonchalant about the whole thing. He had fun in gym class, he liked eating his lunch but mentioned the cafeteria was noisy and loved playing outside on the playground. Later that evening he asked if he could just meet me at home and for me not to be at the bus stop. I was shocked! I told him it was a rule that parents had to meet their kids at the bus stop, but even if it wasn’t I certainly would always be there.

Ben absolutely loves school. He tells me how much he loves P.E. (I’ve been corrected that it isn’t gym), art and music. He even has the same music teacher that I had in elementary school! He loves telling me about his accomplishments such as his class earning bear paws and getting special treats like a popsicle party. Lately he has been studying Christopher Columbus and has given his parents a few recitals on songs that he has learned. One day he came home with a crown with three ships on it. Knowing he has been studying about Christopher Columbus, I asked him he if knew the names of the ships that Columbus sailed to America with. He couldn’t remember all of them, but said one of them was “the mean one”. He meant Nina, but at least he’s paying attention!

Ben also has taken a liking to pizza Fridays at his school cafeteria. He had to memorize a pin number to purchase his food and has done quite well with it. I was very worried the first day he did this and packed extra food in his snack bag just in case. He seemed to have gotten the hang of it from day one and actually told me each week he purchases pizza, chocolate milk, fruit and a ice cream. I know he loves that!

Ben does have homework at school. It is very minor such as reading twenty minutes every day, drawing a picture of his favorite story that week and then has speech homework each night. It does add up, but his drive of learning everything is just awesome. He loves playing the match game with his words and will often break the rules making me win a turn or two so I don’t feel bad. I love how sweet he is.

Speaking of his love of learning, he surprises me with the new things that he has learned. We recently went to his five year check up (43 inches tall and 43lbs) and went into space themed room at his pediatrician’s office. They had different planets on the wall and he asked if I knew their names. Curious, I asked him if he could name some of them. He named Earth, Mars, told me the big planet was Jupiter and the one with rings was called Saturn. I was impressed! I didn’t know he knew that, but I was quite proud of him.

Soon he will go to his first school field trip to Ticonderoga Farms. I volunteered to help chaperone the trip and can’t wait to share that experience with him. I know he will be thrilled to ride a school bus to another fun place!

All in all this school year has shaped up to be a busy one, with earlier hours for his Mom (6:30 to 2:30), homework in the evenings but overall a huge appreciation of learning and school. All the sacrifices, busy evenings and coordination is worth seeing how much he loves school. His parents are so proud of him!

My Five Year Old

Dear Ben, My sweet boy, I cannot believe that you are already five years old. How quickly time seems to fly by when you're a parent. I remember the first moment I knew there was going to be a you. I gave your Dad on the same day little, baby, blue, bear slippers to let him know we were going to have a child and he just grinned from ear to ear. For some reason I always knew you were going to be a boy. However your Dad was the first one to confirm that during our 19 week ultrasound visit and the tech laughed and said he was right. When you came into this world, you were howling and were so mad that you peed on the nurses three times to let them know your feelings on the whole process. When you were finally handed to me I learned what love at first sight truly meant. I was head over heels for you. You were a true miracle from God. You have taught me so much in your little life. I learned how to be a parent (still learning) and how to be a better person. I learned more patience, how to laugh at the little things more often and discovered true joy through your life experiences. Being a parent is one of the hardest things to do. I'm not perfect. When you're a parent (God willing when you're found your soulmate) you won't be either. But even in the toughest of days when everything seems to stink, you melt all of that away with your sweet smiles. I love the person you have become. You are my little firecracker and then some. Your energy is unmeasureable and I wish you could share that with me sometimes. I love that you're enthusastic and a go getter. I wouldn't change you for the world. Your sweetness is just amazing and you still surprise me with the things you come up with at such a young age. I never knew a little boy to care so much about his family in the terms of thinking of things without being asked. I love that you share snacks and toys with your sister. You kiss her and when she's away you tell me how much you miss her. She looks up to you so much. You have such a great relationship with your Dad. He always lets you try things that I would squirm about letting you do, but thats why kids need a Dad. Mom do meddle a little too much sometimes. Your Dad adores you and is so proud of your accomplishments. He may be hard on you at times, but its only for you to learn how to be a man and how to accept your responsibilities. Your Dad also knows your Mom is a big softy so someone needs to lay down the law. I love us. I love that you do little things of thoughtfulness for your Mom like pick a flower when you see one and bring blankets to me since I am always cold. I love the snuggles and the kisses that never seem to end when you're leaving me. I know those days are few, but I love them and I cherish those moments. You are my beautiful, handsome, smart, kind, thoughtful son. I am so blessed to be your Mom. I love you so very much. No matter where you are in life or what you do, know how much I love you and always know that you can come home to me. My arms are wide open and always ready for a hug. I adore you my sweet Ben. Happy Birthday! Love, Mommy