Turning Points: Anderson's Kindergarten Journey & my Roadrunner journey

So, I did not actually think to start the documentation of Anderson's Kindergarten year until November. I, of course, have shared a bunch of pics and I have saved quite a bit of his work, but I like the idea of a chronological post. So, this sums up Anderson's venture into real school...starting in November. 

Also, NOVEMBER?? Sigh. How did I miss such an amazing blogging opportunity? The answer is to go back & add pics prior to November, of course, but HA HA HA. No. It's May; I am tired. 

One of my favorites: his disguised turkey. He 100% came up with Abraham Lincoln on his own and I was PUMPED! I was biased, but I think his was the cutest one there. 

A  Halloween writing project. I love his little words & watching how his mind works in figuring out how to spell them. 

His art teacher is amazing because she has made him really embrace art. He loves to draw and has really improved with his skill over the year. He actually draws way better than I do, which is not saying much, but he is still impressive. 

He writes sweet notes to me at school during his drawing time at after school care. Usually they are just lost in his doodling, but how much do I love that he is thinking of me while he is at school?

The books that he picked out were always about animals or places-nonfiction from the 1980's  is clearly his thing. 

Because, Officer Glover. 

Thankful. 

I loved watching his handwriting and spelling improve.

Homework: Draw a picture and write a sentence about the best part of the Holiday party. 

"I liked the part when my mom came."-that drawing is me in my Grinch onesie at the party. I am so, so glad that my boss is so gracious about letting me attend my kids' events. 

Also, the phrase "Grinch onesie" is not something I ever thought I would say about a possession of mine, which is a nice reminder that even adulthood has a few perks/surprises. 

Once upon 5 years ago, he was not even supposed to see and now he is in the Advanced (Accelerated? I have not idea what the A means) Reading Club. 

My heart will never be more overwhelmed than when I think about the progress he has made with his eye. Incidentally, I felt this same way when he made the All Star Team in basketball. 

If someone had told me this during the days of tears, tears, tears and patches, patches, patches, I would never have believed them. 

To all the mamas with the patching...hang in there. 

For President's Day, he had to draw a president and he, of course, chose this guy, which means I am WINNING at parenting!

Book Character Day-speaking of WINNING, he chose Harry Potter. 

His school has this fantastic Enrichment program where kids can pick different options after school of things that interest them. One session, Anderson chose "Book Making" and he was so proud of the book that he made. He could pick any topic he wanted and he chose America, which makes my red, white and blue heart so proud. He did all of the pics and thought of the captions/info himself. 

Of all of his projects, this one is my favorite. I just love, love, LOVE that he recognizes the awesomeness that is America. 

Also, it is right about now where it just hit me-Teddy Roosevelt, Lincoln, Harry Potter, America...I have officially brainwashed my kid. #myjobhereisdone

On the day an author/meteorologist visited, Anderson answered a question right (something about precipitation) and got to stand on stage! His teacher sent me these pics-he was actually so excited, despite outward appearances. 

Kindergarten Open House: Anderson read us a book and Max* ate half of the cookies & lemonade, so it was a nice win for everyone.

*Max also ran away for what seemed like hours (6 minutes) & I finally found him hiding in another class, trying to steal their cookies. I was at the tearful point of having the principal make an announcement when we saw him, just chilling at a table. 

 He might not be invited back for his turn in 2 years. 

I was able to be a guest reader in his class one day & these are the 3 books that he picked out. How much does everyone love the old schoolness of the Bearenstain Bear Books? You forget about it until you read it to a class of 6 year olds and they are slightly confused on certain word choices.

 I LOVE that Anderson is reading books that were mine-shout out to Noni for that strong hoarding gene. 

Also, glasses. I maybe recommended that one because he is the only kid in his class in glasses.

I made him change the Abraham Lincoln one and he switched it with a book about a battle between a grizzly bear/polar bear. I decided that his teacher  might not invite me back if I introduced her kindergarten class to the idea of slavery. 

He acts like he hates school, but I know he really loves it. 

Spelling was always my FAVORITE. I mean, it does not get nerdier than that sentence, but I really did love it. I am grateful that this boy might have that gene. 

Also, apparently we have missed the point of what grows in gardens. 

He is SO proud of his 2 different colored eyes. I embrace it because there has to be a perk of the cataract. 

Yes, please let's give Anderson lots of Shooger. 

Noni & Bop always made sure that Anderson didn't miss a beat in knowing he was loved/spoiled rotten by visiting him at lunch & his class parties/events. 

I had to miss Anderson's spring field trip because work is actually a real thing on most days & his teacher is AMAZING and let me come to their field day. It is always fun to watch 

Anderson in his own little world, just being a person. And, spraying another kid in the face really does sum up his "person."

Anderson in his own little world, just being a person. And, spraying another kid in the face really does sum up his "person."

Also, flipping through his journal and seeing things like this make me realize that maybe, just maybe I am succeeding in balancing my life. I love that I got 2 shout outs for visiting his class. I don't think this will be the case when he is 12. 

Seriously. 

Speaking of bugs, Anderson found a dead bee at field day and made me carry it home to his nature box. It sums up who he is more than most pictures. 

My heart-it is so full. I know I talk about the EYE all the time, but I was told in these words-"HE WILL NEVER BE NORMAL." 

Damn. Right. 

I actually credit the patch for part of his curiosity & constant quest for more information. When we were following him around all day/every day for years, we had to constantly keep distracting him and I think that is part of where his interest in things like math & science originated. Because, let's be honest, we know it was not from my genes. 

Speaking of his math interest-these were his questions when they visited 1st grade.

I am so proud of Anderson for having such an amazing kindergarten year. I know it is just kindergarten and the real school is yet to come, but it's nice to know that our first venture into real school ended without major incident. Equally as important, I am proud of myself for remembering to pack his snack every day. Pat on my back right here....thank you. 

Initially this was just a post about Anderson in kindergarten, but the other day it hit me that this year really was journey for me, as well. I find it fitting that 2 very signifiant life experiences for our family happened in a parallel manner and both turned out to be incredibly positive, exhausting and fun. 

A year ago, I was so happy as a Powell Panther,  just like 5 years ago I was living the good life of a Farragut Admiral. I am happy we cannot see into the future because in either one of those set ups, I would have NEVER envisioned myself in yet another new situation-this time as a Roadrunner. 

Funny how life knows what you need more than you do. 

This year has been tiring, overwhelming, confusing, eye opening and, most of all, fitting. I have the hardest time explaining to people how I never actually felt the normal twinges of anxiety and worry that generally come with change. I missed my Powell people for sure, but I was really happy from day 1 at AE.

My team is amazing and included me from the start; our kids are amazing, just like all the kids I have been able to work with in my career and, most of all, AE is a unique place with unique opportunity. 

In addition, I had the most wonderful opportunity to work with Denise for another year and I just can't imagine that anything will ever be that perfect again. 

(Except the way my life works out, I will probably be proven wrong on that.)

She is heading to bigger & better things next year, but I will always be SO grateful for our year together as roadrunners!

There is no other time where I fully realize the opportunity of my life than when I am sitting on a stage at graduation. This was my 3rd time to do so (my first year at Powell I missed grad because I had a 9 day old) and the magnitude of my day job hits me with more force every year. Watching kids on their journey into life creates some pretty powerful emotions-pride, exhaustion, frustration, joy. Perhaps what I feel more than anything as I sit there and watch them turn their tassels is humbled.

 I am so humbled by the fact that I have this chance to watch the future unfold. This chance, this job, this life-it is just not normal and, for that, I am so grateful. 

Also, I am grateful that it is summer because that exhaustion is such a real thing.