Dear Holden,
A couple of weeks ago marked yet another first - a first for you, and a first for me as a mother. Your first hospital trip. Fun times eh? Both Lexi and Mercedes have each made a trip to the ER actually - Mercedes for a case of strep (was sent home quickly with meds), and Lexi for a gastro bug once - but she was given pedialyte and perked up immediately. This time was different. You and Lexi and your father were all sick with sore throats - first your sister, then your father, then you. I thought of strep at first, but delayed a doctor's visit because I firmly believe in 'wait and see', especially when it means packing up three kids to wait in a walk in clinic. And then Lexi started feeling better, so I figured you would too! Until that Wednesday morning, two weeks ago, when you woke up very lethargic and miserable and your lips turned blue. I immediately packed up your sisters and we headed to the clinic. They took a look at you and suggested we head to the ER instead, which made me heart drop. You both tested positive for strep and Lexi was given antibiotics to take, but it was clear you needed more than just meds. The triage nurse in the ER asked if you were my first baby. When I said "no, third" they took you in immediately. Apparently third time mothers don't panic at the ER unless it's really warranted!
You spent the whole day in the ER - hooked up to an IV for some antibiotics and to rehydrate you. You had blood drawn, and a chest x-ray (totally traumatic!), as well as a urine test. Watching them struggle to get in the IV line made me heart hurt, but watching YOU not put up much of a fight was even worse. You spent the entire day sleeping in my arms, despite the bustle of the ER - you were just so weak and dehydrated. Final diagnosis was a bad case of strep, double ear infection, possible start of pneumoia, and dehydration. I had to wake you up overnight to force pedialyte into you, give you meds, and let you sleep it off as much as possible. Thankfully, within a couple of days you perked up considerably, and a couple of days after that you got your strength back. The best part is the nursing strike you went on while sick (which made ME sick!) ended. And now, a couple of weeks later, you would never know how sick you were.
I know other parents have endured FAR worse with their children, but we have been so lucky with all three of you - this is the sickest I've ever seen one of my kids in five years, and it's not an experience I wish to repeat. I am so thankful we have access to such great health care in Canada, and so thankful I took you in when I did. Now, don't ever do that again!
Love,
Mama
Friday, 14 February 2014
Mercedes - Happy 5th Birthday!
Dear Mercedes,
Yesterday, you turned FIVE. It's hard to believe that five years have passed since that first moment I became a mother. It was a changing, formative moment of course - but being a mother (or a father!) is a continuously evolving learning experience. Most days it seems like I will never know what I am doing. But I do know that I am consistently surprised and challenged by you. I am forever falling more in love with you, learning more about you, amazed at how much you know and do and understand. I am so thrilled by the child you are becoming - I can see glimpses of you here and there as a teenager, or an adult, or a mother to your own child one day... smart and observant and funny and considerate and emotional and sensitive and silly and so overwhelmingly beautiful. I feel privileged to be your mother and I can't wait to see what the next five years holds.
As an update... you are learning to read (you know how to spell and read LOTS of word by memory alone, but are so great at sounding out the words that you don't know). You love to write and write and write some more... lists, or small books, or pretend restaurant orders. You are obsessed with arts and crafts - drawing and painting and cutting and gluing. You love going out to restaurants and playing outside and spending time with your friends. You are absolutely enthralled by your school experience - you wish you could go on the weekends, and you still love playing school with us or your sister. Speaking of your sister, you two play SO nicely together - making up games, chasing each other around, colouring together, laughing and laughing and laughing (which makes me cry happy tears). You are a protective and loving big sister - always watching out for both Lexi and Holden, and helping whenever you can. You love scary movies/shows on tv - thanks to your father. He's even somehow managed to get you obsessed with Star Wars! You love Lego and books and Hello Kitty and Princess Sofia. You hate having your hair back and love picking out your own clothes; you love helping in the kitchen and playing in your room by yourself. No loose teeth yet, and no real sign of them, but you are excited about the prospect.
We had a fantastic day celebrating your birthday yesterday - we let you play hooky from school so we could all go to Chuck E Cheese and out for lunch. And you had an absolute blast. The look of joy on your face was worth it all. I am so glad that we were able to share in your special day with you (i.e. neither of us were at work!) and that you chose to share your special day with US (i.e. you chose to stay home instead of go to school and have a fuss made over you there).
Happy Birthday my big girl - we love you so much!
Love,
Mama
Yesterday, you turned FIVE. It's hard to believe that five years have passed since that first moment I became a mother. It was a changing, formative moment of course - but being a mother (or a father!) is a continuously evolving learning experience. Most days it seems like I will never know what I am doing. But I do know that I am consistently surprised and challenged by you. I am forever falling more in love with you, learning more about you, amazed at how much you know and do and understand. I am so thrilled by the child you are becoming - I can see glimpses of you here and there as a teenager, or an adult, or a mother to your own child one day... smart and observant and funny and considerate and emotional and sensitive and silly and so overwhelmingly beautiful. I feel privileged to be your mother and I can't wait to see what the next five years holds.
As an update... you are learning to read (you know how to spell and read LOTS of word by memory alone, but are so great at sounding out the words that you don't know). You love to write and write and write some more... lists, or small books, or pretend restaurant orders. You are obsessed with arts and crafts - drawing and painting and cutting and gluing. You love going out to restaurants and playing outside and spending time with your friends. You are absolutely enthralled by your school experience - you wish you could go on the weekends, and you still love playing school with us or your sister. Speaking of your sister, you two play SO nicely together - making up games, chasing each other around, colouring together, laughing and laughing and laughing (which makes me cry happy tears). You are a protective and loving big sister - always watching out for both Lexi and Holden, and helping whenever you can. You love scary movies/shows on tv - thanks to your father. He's even somehow managed to get you obsessed with Star Wars! You love Lego and books and Hello Kitty and Princess Sofia. You hate having your hair back and love picking out your own clothes; you love helping in the kitchen and playing in your room by yourself. No loose teeth yet, and no real sign of them, but you are excited about the prospect.
We had a fantastic day celebrating your birthday yesterday - we let you play hooky from school so we could all go to Chuck E Cheese and out for lunch. And you had an absolute blast. The look of joy on your face was worth it all. I am so glad that we were able to share in your special day with you (i.e. neither of us were at work!) and that you chose to share your special day with US (i.e. you chose to stay home instead of go to school and have a fuss made over you there).
Happy Birthday my big girl - we love you so much!
Love,
Mama
Friday, 27 December 2013
Holden - Happy First Birthday!
My dear sweet Holden,
It is three days after your birthday, but in typical busy-mom fashion, I am only finding the time to write this journal entry to you now - I apologize. But it has given me some more time to reflect on that wondrous milestone - the first birthday! I have to admit, I was very sad leading up to your first birthday. With Mercedes, I was just excited - it's so much fun to watch your babies growing up! When Alexis turned one, I was already pregnant with you, so I knew I was going to get to experience that magical first year all over again. But you... my lovely, sweet little boy. You, are my final baby. I love the newborn/infant stage anyway, but experiencing it all again for a third (and final) time, with the bonus of an exceptionally darling baby... it has been an amazing year. Stressful, I won't lie - I've been home full-time with you and Lexi for an entire year now, which hasn't been easy of course. And Mercedes started school in September, leaving all drop-offs and pick-ups my responsibility, with my two sidekicks in tow. But no matter how exhausted I am, or how many times I may lose my patience, or how frustrated I get... all I need to do is look in your beautiful eyes to realize how amazing this life I lead is.
All babies are wonderful. That is the inherent magic, the innate goodness, of babies. But everyone who meets you (aka, more than just your extremely biased family) knows there is something extra special about you. I truly believe you are an old, gentle soul. Sweet and happy and easy-going and social and interactive and smiley, smiley, smiley. I can't get enough of your sweet face and snuggly hugs. When you smile at me with your gap-toothed grin, I literally melt inside. I well up in tears frequently just looking at you (or, thinking about you, talking about you, writing about you...). I feel thankful EVERY, SINGLE day that you found your way to our family. It is no secret to anyone (and won't be kept a secret from you in the future either - I believe in honesty and transparency in a family) that you were not planned. A welcome, wonderful surprise, but a surprise nonetheless. In the early days of my pregnancy with you, your father and I fretted a bit - about money and logistics and my career and our exhaustion levels. Trivial stuff, when it comes down to it, because I knew, right from that first moment, that I loved you beyond measure and that you were meant to be.
I wrote in your birth story, an entire year ago, that you were everything that we never knew we always wanted. And that still holds true. I marvel at the fact that we ever thought our family was complete. You were clearly MEANT to be with us. (In fact, I often joke that Lexi knew first, since she was obviously born to be a middle child!)
I can't wait to see what your future holds - I know it will be bright and lovely and happy. You will do great things, of that I am sure. I love you so much; thank you for enriching our lives with your pure beauty. We are all better people for it.
Love,
Mama
.
P.S. As of now you have 7 teeth (#7 cut on your birthday!) and say Mama and Dada. You crawl everywhere, and pull yourself to stand, but no walking yet. You clap and wave and blow kisses and shake your head no and respond to your name and love to flip the pages while I read you bedtime stories. You are obsessed with all the toys your sisters play with, and you love following them around and grinning when I catch you reaching for something you shouldn't have. As soon as the pantry cupboard opens, you magically appear to pull cereal boxes off the shelf. You are thrilled when Duke or Rusty walk by, and love giving them 'attention'. You get so excited when someone talks or smiles at you, that your whole body quivers with excitement and you bury your head in my shoulder (and bite my collarbone or my upper arm, ouch!).
It is three days after your birthday, but in typical busy-mom fashion, I am only finding the time to write this journal entry to you now - I apologize. But it has given me some more time to reflect on that wondrous milestone - the first birthday! I have to admit, I was very sad leading up to your first birthday. With Mercedes, I was just excited - it's so much fun to watch your babies growing up! When Alexis turned one, I was already pregnant with you, so I knew I was going to get to experience that magical first year all over again. But you... my lovely, sweet little boy. You, are my final baby. I love the newborn/infant stage anyway, but experiencing it all again for a third (and final) time, with the bonus of an exceptionally darling baby... it has been an amazing year. Stressful, I won't lie - I've been home full-time with you and Lexi for an entire year now, which hasn't been easy of course. And Mercedes started school in September, leaving all drop-offs and pick-ups my responsibility, with my two sidekicks in tow. But no matter how exhausted I am, or how many times I may lose my patience, or how frustrated I get... all I need to do is look in your beautiful eyes to realize how amazing this life I lead is.
All babies are wonderful. That is the inherent magic, the innate goodness, of babies. But everyone who meets you (aka, more than just your extremely biased family) knows there is something extra special about you. I truly believe you are an old, gentle soul. Sweet and happy and easy-going and social and interactive and smiley, smiley, smiley. I can't get enough of your sweet face and snuggly hugs. When you smile at me with your gap-toothed grin, I literally melt inside. I well up in tears frequently just looking at you (or, thinking about you, talking about you, writing about you...). I feel thankful EVERY, SINGLE day that you found your way to our family. It is no secret to anyone (and won't be kept a secret from you in the future either - I believe in honesty and transparency in a family) that you were not planned. A welcome, wonderful surprise, but a surprise nonetheless. In the early days of my pregnancy with you, your father and I fretted a bit - about money and logistics and my career and our exhaustion levels. Trivial stuff, when it comes down to it, because I knew, right from that first moment, that I loved you beyond measure and that you were meant to be.
I wrote in your birth story, an entire year ago, that you were everything that we never knew we always wanted. And that still holds true. I marvel at the fact that we ever thought our family was complete. You were clearly MEANT to be with us. (In fact, I often joke that Lexi knew first, since she was obviously born to be a middle child!)
I can't wait to see what your future holds - I know it will be bright and lovely and happy. You will do great things, of that I am sure. I love you so much; thank you for enriching our lives with your pure beauty. We are all better people for it.
Love,
Mama
.
P.S. As of now you have 7 teeth (#7 cut on your birthday!) and say Mama and Dada. You crawl everywhere, and pull yourself to stand, but no walking yet. You clap and wave and blow kisses and shake your head no and respond to your name and love to flip the pages while I read you bedtime stories. You are obsessed with all the toys your sisters play with, and you love following them around and grinning when I catch you reaching for something you shouldn't have. As soon as the pantry cupboard opens, you magically appear to pull cereal boxes off the shelf. You are thrilled when Duke or Rusty walk by, and love giving them 'attention'. You get so excited when someone talks or smiles at you, that your whole body quivers with excitement and you bury your head in my shoulder (and bite my collarbone or my upper arm, ouch!).
Thursday, 5 September 2013
Alexis - 27 Months
Dear Lexi,
It's official. The Terrible Twos are upon us. I remember so much of this very frustrating, yet totally endearing, age with your sister - but you are an entirely different child, and as such, present entirely different challenges! For example, your sister LOVED being in the stroller, and was never what parents termed 'a runner.' You? Oh yes. You are most definitely a runner. You are pretty good at understanding that we either hold hands or you go in the stroller, but the whole 'go in the stroller' part never gets accomplished without tears. You are MUCH more physical than your sister ever was; climbing play-structures with ease, which makes my heart stop a bit considering how far the fall is for such a wee girl! You love to climb anything in fact - tables being a big one, particularly naked while dancing (yes, I wonder about your future career sometimes). You love to be defiant, just for the sake of being defiant. Mercedes has something? You want it. Holden has something? You want it. Duke has something? You want it. Mommy or Daddy is eating something? You most DEFINITELY want it. You want to be super independent and have your hands in everything that goes on... diaper changes, meal times, getting into your high chair, laundry, unlocking the car, getting dressed, etc, etc. What should take 10 minutes takes upwards of half an hour. What should be fun, often isn't.
Sounds like a drag right? But the naked table dancing is hilariously entertaining. Your hugs are still the best. Your eyes light up with pure glee when you are playing (nicely) with your siblings. You absolutely adore when Duke gives you kisses. You say 'pease' and 'dank you' so sweetly it melts my heart. You insist on carrying a small pile of books with you to and from EVERY room - which, while it can be frustrating, is so darn cute! The 'reading' you do is even better.
I know that part of your behaviour is age-related, and a large part of it is hopefully two-year-molar related. I know it's a phase, and that this challenging stage will pass, just like all of the other challenging stages before, only to be replaced by some new way to be defiant and oppositional and independent. It's a part of growing, and learning, and becoming a little person. So while I may get frustrated at how long it takes to get three kids ready to leave the house, or how much of a mess you make when you are eating, or how difficult you can be when I ask you to do just about ANYTHING - I love the personality you so clearly have. Middle child? For sure. But a delightful, charming, happy, feisty, loving middle child. Now if only I could keep a straight face when disciplining you and your big brown eyes and incredibly crazy hair.
Love,
Mommy
It's official. The Terrible Twos are upon us. I remember so much of this very frustrating, yet totally endearing, age with your sister - but you are an entirely different child, and as such, present entirely different challenges! For example, your sister LOVED being in the stroller, and was never what parents termed 'a runner.' You? Oh yes. You are most definitely a runner. You are pretty good at understanding that we either hold hands or you go in the stroller, but the whole 'go in the stroller' part never gets accomplished without tears. You are MUCH more physical than your sister ever was; climbing play-structures with ease, which makes my heart stop a bit considering how far the fall is for such a wee girl! You love to climb anything in fact - tables being a big one, particularly naked while dancing (yes, I wonder about your future career sometimes). You love to be defiant, just for the sake of being defiant. Mercedes has something? You want it. Holden has something? You want it. Duke has something? You want it. Mommy or Daddy is eating something? You most DEFINITELY want it. You want to be super independent and have your hands in everything that goes on... diaper changes, meal times, getting into your high chair, laundry, unlocking the car, getting dressed, etc, etc. What should take 10 minutes takes upwards of half an hour. What should be fun, often isn't.
Sounds like a drag right? But the naked table dancing is hilariously entertaining. Your hugs are still the best. Your eyes light up with pure glee when you are playing (nicely) with your siblings. You absolutely adore when Duke gives you kisses. You say 'pease' and 'dank you' so sweetly it melts my heart. You insist on carrying a small pile of books with you to and from EVERY room - which, while it can be frustrating, is so darn cute! The 'reading' you do is even better.
I know that part of your behaviour is age-related, and a large part of it is hopefully two-year-molar related. I know it's a phase, and that this challenging stage will pass, just like all of the other challenging stages before, only to be replaced by some new way to be defiant and oppositional and independent. It's a part of growing, and learning, and becoming a little person. So while I may get frustrated at how long it takes to get three kids ready to leave the house, or how much of a mess you make when you are eating, or how difficult you can be when I ask you to do just about ANYTHING - I love the personality you so clearly have. Middle child? For sure. But a delightful, charming, happy, feisty, loving middle child. Now if only I could keep a straight face when disciplining you and your big brown eyes and incredibly crazy hair.
Love,
Mommy
Mercedes - First Day Of Junior Kindergarten!
Dear Mercedes,
My darling big girl - the day has finally come. Your full-time education begins now! Today was your very first day of 'big' school, as you've been calling it; full-day, every day, Junior Kindergarten!
It may seem like no big deal to some, and perhaps even to you, considering that you have basically been in a JK class for the past year already at Peekaboo. But this is different - this is the REAL DEAL. Public school. No nap. No provided food. No hand-holding from Mommy or Daddy. No early pick-ups or late drop-offs or staying home because it's convenient. SCHOOL.
September was always my favourite time of year (in fact, I think it probably still is!) - the weather cools off a bit, the sun is still shining, and best of all, the new school year begins - full of promise and opportunity and endless possibilities. I loved picking out a new outfit, and spending a sleepless night excitedly wondering who would be in my class, and what my teacher would be like. Organizing all of my shiny new school supplies, blank notebooks waiting to be filled with knowledge. I LOVED school, and if your experience at Peekaboo was any indication, you surely will also. I can't wait to see your future unfold - what catches your interest, where your path takes you.
We are so proud of you and how curious and inquisitive and sensitive and observant and emotional and considerate you are. It is a joy watching you grow and learn, and I can't wait to have many more first days of school with you, just like today.
(And for the record, there were no tears, from either of us!)
Love always,
Mama
My darling big girl - the day has finally come. Your full-time education begins now! Today was your very first day of 'big' school, as you've been calling it; full-day, every day, Junior Kindergarten!
It may seem like no big deal to some, and perhaps even to you, considering that you have basically been in a JK class for the past year already at Peekaboo. But this is different - this is the REAL DEAL. Public school. No nap. No provided food. No hand-holding from Mommy or Daddy. No early pick-ups or late drop-offs or staying home because it's convenient. SCHOOL.
September was always my favourite time of year (in fact, I think it probably still is!) - the weather cools off a bit, the sun is still shining, and best of all, the new school year begins - full of promise and opportunity and endless possibilities. I loved picking out a new outfit, and spending a sleepless night excitedly wondering who would be in my class, and what my teacher would be like. Organizing all of my shiny new school supplies, blank notebooks waiting to be filled with knowledge. I LOVED school, and if your experience at Peekaboo was any indication, you surely will also. I can't wait to see your future unfold - what catches your interest, where your path takes you.
We are so proud of you and how curious and inquisitive and sensitive and observant and emotional and considerate you are. It is a joy watching you grow and learn, and I can't wait to have many more first days of school with you, just like today.
(And for the record, there were no tears, from either of us!)
Love always,
Mama
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
Holden - 8 Months
Dear Holden (aka Holds, Holdy-Moldy, Rolds, Holders, Nedlohs, Mr. Nedloh, Neds, Nedders, Mr. Handsome...),
You are now 8 months old, and two days after celebrating that, you finally cut your first tooth! Not that you'd know it - you are as happy and agreeable as ever!
You aren't crawling yet (fine by me!) but you are super-quick and efficient with your rolling and pulling yourself around. Nothing is safe, and I can't leave you alone for a minute or you will be clear across the room. You are much steadier sitting now, and absolutely LOVE your food. I always find it so fun cooking for an infant - no criticism, no rejection... just pure joy at being given real food to eat!
And, as you have been your whole life, you are still a complete and total delight to be around. Smiley, happy, easy-going - any good-natured adjective you can think of? That's you!
Your sisters fight over who gets to open your door to greet you first after a nap, and they love fetching you toys and tickling you and making funny faces so you'll smile and laugh at them.
You can thank Mercedes for your main nickname of Nedloh (Holden spelled backward - she's a leftie, and very adept at the mirror-writing!), and all of the ways we've incorporated Nedloh into other nicknames for you :p
As always, thanks for being you <3
Love,
Mama
You are now 8 months old, and two days after celebrating that, you finally cut your first tooth! Not that you'd know it - you are as happy and agreeable as ever!
You aren't crawling yet (fine by me!) but you are super-quick and efficient with your rolling and pulling yourself around. Nothing is safe, and I can't leave you alone for a minute or you will be clear across the room. You are much steadier sitting now, and absolutely LOVE your food. I always find it so fun cooking for an infant - no criticism, no rejection... just pure joy at being given real food to eat!
And, as you have been your whole life, you are still a complete and total delight to be around. Smiley, happy, easy-going - any good-natured adjective you can think of? That's you!
Your sisters fight over who gets to open your door to greet you first after a nap, and they love fetching you toys and tickling you and making funny faces so you'll smile and laugh at them.
You can thank Mercedes for your main nickname of Nedloh (Holden spelled backward - she's a leftie, and very adept at the mirror-writing!), and all of the ways we've incorporated Nedloh into other nicknames for you :p
As always, thanks for being you <3
Love,
Mama
Friday, 28 June 2013
Mercedes - Preschool Graduate!
Dear Mercedes,
You are officially a graduate! Of Preschool that is, but it is what is hopefully your first of many graduations, and your father and I (and all the rest of our family) couldn't be prouder! You first started Preschool, full-time, in September. You had a typical transition - you were so excited to go at first, and then on day three reality hit, as did the tears. You cried on drop-off for a couple of weeks, but settled fairly easily and began to participate. Shyly, and tentatively, but you participated. You ate, you slept, you listened well, you played and best (perhaps most importantly) of all, you began to make friends.
We've seen an immense change in you over the past almost-year, as have your teachers. Of course, part of that is just natural growing up - you were 3.5 when you started, and now you are nearly 4.5, so of course you've matured. But I have no doubt that Preschool helped the process. You talk to and play with kids you don't know at the playground and can talk to adults with ease. You now know all of your letters and numbers and are learning to read - you know tons of sight words and LOVE pointing them out while we read chapter books to you at bedtime. You have learned basic math and graphing and all about lifecycles (watching tadpoles grow and eggs hatch into baby chicks) and dinosaurs and the seasons and been to see live shows and ridden a pony and, and, and... the list of what Peekaboo has provided you is long.
We love having conversations with you and hearing all about the things you've learned. We love watching your little friends squeal "Mercedes!" and give you a hug when you show up. We love seeing how voraciously you read books and complete activity worksheets and how much you love to colour and practice your writing. We love seeing how far you've come physically too - climbing play structures with ease and little fear, riding a bike (with training wheels) - all things that you were too scared to attempt on your own a year ago.
At your graduation, which we all attended with proud, happy tears in our eyes, your teachers read this blurb about you: "Mercedes loves to spend time in the writing centre with the other girls playing teacher and school. She has formed new relationships and gained self confidence in these games. When Mercedes grows up, she wants to stay at home and be a 'mommy'. With her quiet and compassionate personality and her need for knowledge, we think she is going to be a librarian." Your teachers love you - even the teachers from classes you aren't in love you (Miss Nicole misses you when she doesn't work mornings, and brings you special treats - I even noticed her holding your hand while you waited to cross the stage to get your 'diploma'). Seeing how much of an impact you have made on them, and how much of an impact they have made on YOU makes me swell with pride. You should have seen our reaction to your Progress Report!
You are still staying at Peekaboo over the summer, even though the Preschool program is now finished - going to the splash pad and playing soccer and enjoying time with your friends. Saying goodbye at the end of the summer will be bittersweet for us all - I have NO doubt that you will flourish and excel in Junior Kindergarten in September (although I'm primed for another 'transition' period), but I know that it will be sad to say goodbye to the second family you've created at Peekaboo over the past year. I'll never forget how much you've grown there.
Love,
Your ever-proud Mama
You are officially a graduate! Of Preschool that is, but it is what is hopefully your first of many graduations, and your father and I (and all the rest of our family) couldn't be prouder! You first started Preschool, full-time, in September. You had a typical transition - you were so excited to go at first, and then on day three reality hit, as did the tears. You cried on drop-off for a couple of weeks, but settled fairly easily and began to participate. Shyly, and tentatively, but you participated. You ate, you slept, you listened well, you played and best (perhaps most importantly) of all, you began to make friends.
We've seen an immense change in you over the past almost-year, as have your teachers. Of course, part of that is just natural growing up - you were 3.5 when you started, and now you are nearly 4.5, so of course you've matured. But I have no doubt that Preschool helped the process. You talk to and play with kids you don't know at the playground and can talk to adults with ease. You now know all of your letters and numbers and are learning to read - you know tons of sight words and LOVE pointing them out while we read chapter books to you at bedtime. You have learned basic math and graphing and all about lifecycles (watching tadpoles grow and eggs hatch into baby chicks) and dinosaurs and the seasons and been to see live shows and ridden a pony and, and, and... the list of what Peekaboo has provided you is long.
We love having conversations with you and hearing all about the things you've learned. We love watching your little friends squeal "Mercedes!" and give you a hug when you show up. We love seeing how voraciously you read books and complete activity worksheets and how much you love to colour and practice your writing. We love seeing how far you've come physically too - climbing play structures with ease and little fear, riding a bike (with training wheels) - all things that you were too scared to attempt on your own a year ago.
At your graduation, which we all attended with proud, happy tears in our eyes, your teachers read this blurb about you: "Mercedes loves to spend time in the writing centre with the other girls playing teacher and school. She has formed new relationships and gained self confidence in these games. When Mercedes grows up, she wants to stay at home and be a 'mommy'. With her quiet and compassionate personality and her need for knowledge, we think she is going to be a librarian." Your teachers love you - even the teachers from classes you aren't in love you (Miss Nicole misses you when she doesn't work mornings, and brings you special treats - I even noticed her holding your hand while you waited to cross the stage to get your 'diploma'). Seeing how much of an impact you have made on them, and how much of an impact they have made on YOU makes me swell with pride. You should have seen our reaction to your Progress Report!
You are still staying at Peekaboo over the summer, even though the Preschool program is now finished - going to the splash pad and playing soccer and enjoying time with your friends. Saying goodbye at the end of the summer will be bittersweet for us all - I have NO doubt that you will flourish and excel in Junior Kindergarten in September (although I'm primed for another 'transition' period), but I know that it will be sad to say goodbye to the second family you've created at Peekaboo over the past year. I'll never forget how much you've grown there.
Love,
Your ever-proud Mama
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