What a difference a year makes!  It seems like yesterday that we walked you to school for your first day of Kindergarten.  You were nervous and crying, and you didn't want to leave our side.  Somehow, Mr. E. got you to walk down to class by talking to you about everything from Power Rangers to the sports teams that you liked.  By the time that we got home from dropping you off, there was a message from Mr. E. telling us that you were fine, and that you settled down when you got to class.  It made us feel a little better, but we were still worried about you.

For the next several weeks, Mr. E. would walk you down to your class.  There were tears on some days, and on other days you would run right up to him and walk into the building, talking sports most of the time.  In any case, you were doing well as a Kindergartener even when you had your sad moments.  You learned how to pull yourself together and participate in all classroom activities, even though you missed us.  From very early on, we got great feedback from your teacher, and you continued to be the model student that you were in pre-school.

You've been through so much this year.  You played your first season of pee wee football, your first season of tee-ball and finished Kindergarten with an amazing report card.  We couldn't be prouder of you and your accomplishments.  Even when you've struggled at times with being away from us, you have always remained well-behaved and you always gave your best.  That's all that we can ever ask for as parents.

We didn't know what to expect going into the year, but we are certainly happy with the results.  You've learned how to read and write, and you really enjoy it.  You even wrote your first song about a girl that you like in your class.  While you've always been mature for your age, this song has shown incredible wisdom beyond your years, and it's been amazing to see how much you have grown up in the past year. 

When we opened the pool, you were the first one in.  Watching you walk down the ladder with confidence was similar to the confidence that you showed walking into school as the year progressed.  Trepidation was replaced by excitement.  Fear was replaced by the desire to try new things.  You took the plunge and put your head under water...something that you wouldn't even consider last year.  In some ways, we would like to freeze this moment in time so that we can enjoy it for a little while longer, and surprisingly, you wanted to freeze the moment as well.

Most kids can't wait to get older, rushing towards something, but not really knowing what it is.  You have embraced each age, and while you were excited about your birthday, you were as nostalgic as we were about the year that has passed.  When you cried on the last day of school, it was no longer because you feared the unknown, or because you didn't want to leave our side.  You cried because you realized that it was the end of a part of your life that you can't relive. 

You wondered aloud why you and your friends can't all move up into first grade together, which is understandable.  Most grown-ups resist change and fear the unknown also, but change happens, and we all have to do our best to roll with the changes.  When you first went off to Kindergarten, it was the first time that we didn't have you all to ourselves.  Early in the year, we used to watch the clock to see when it was time to get you from school.  Pick-up time couldn't come fast enough.  Eventually though, we all settled into our new routine, and we made things work.  We have no doubt that you will adjust to first grade and continue being the excellent student that you've become.

This was a great year for you, and even though you weren't ready for school to end, we're so happy to have you home for the summer.  Not having you around has given us a new appreciation for what it's like when you are home with us.  We will do everything possible to make this summer a special one for you, and embrace each moment.  Before long, we'll be dropping you off at first grade, and it will be time once again to roll with the changes.