Dear Logan,
Today, you started the first grade.
It was a really big deal. You’ve been excited about it for
months. In fact, you started talking about it long before you finished
Kindergarten. Your excitement was contagious. All week you’ve been asking me, “Can
you believe I’m in the first grade, Mom? Aren’t you excited?” to which I’ve
answered, “SO EXCITED!” because I am.
You’ve had quite the summer, kiddo. You quit wetting the
bed. You gave up the swim ring and went with just floaties. And then you got
really brave and started holding your breathe and putting your head under
water. Last night, while you took your bath, you laid all the way under water
and held your breathe for 7 seconds. I was super proud…and so were you. You’re
not quite swimming yet but, at the rate you’re headed, I know it’ll be any day.
It was also the summer that your dad lived in an apartment
down the street. He and I didn’t really know what to expect so we just let you
handle it the way you wanted to. I have to say, kiddo, you handled it
brilliantly. I know you are only 5 (and a half) but you are one of my heroes. I hope you will always know that Dad and I had
to figure some stuff out so we could be better at being your parents.
As wonderfully as you handled it, though, you are awful
excited about us going to the beach this weekend, “as a family”, to grab the
last little bit of summer. And you also enjoyed your dad’s voice singing “First
Day of First Grade” to you this morning, as he jumped on your bed, and made the
words up as he went along.
When we went to Back-to-School night to meet your new
teacher, you figured out that you do, in fact, have a desk in first grade. It’s
been on the list of important things all summer.
Another thing that’s been on the list is your Pack-It. It’s a lunch box, red with blue robots on it, “and
it stays cold for 10 hours.” You were
adamant about it and your dad and I knew it was really important. We didn’t get a second one for free, though. It
was an additional $17.50 in Shipping and Handling and while you didn’t really
understand what that meant, you did understand that they had the robot pattern
you wanted, at Amazon, with free
shipping. You were also excited about the school supplies we bought with the $17.50.
If you look back on first grade and wonder why you don’t
have any memories of back- to- school shopping, it’s because we didn’t go. I
didn’t take you to a store to buy anything but your shoes. (With laces, I might
add and you’re finally okay with learning to tie them) We back to school
shopped Our way.
From the computer.
You sat in my lap, went to the websites with me and picked
everything out. You got the camouflage back pack you wanted, complete with your
name, in the font style you chose. You were very helpful in selecting your clothes,
as well. When your outfits arrived on
the door step, you were very excited. I think it had more to do with getting a
package, really. You don’t normally get that excited about clothes. It was an
added bonus I didn’t think about when I ordered. The bonus prize that I did bet on, however, was you trying them
on, in the comforts of our home, and not having to hear:
“Logan, hurry up. Seriously? What is taking so long? BRODIE!
STOP! (Arm grab) you can NOT look under the doors of people’s dressing rooms.
Logan, seriously honey, please hurry before I kill your brother. What’s the
matter? Why don’t you like it? What does scratchesy mean? That’s not even a
word. They look good. Okay, fine, take it off. BRODIE! COME HERE, PLEASE.
Logan, I’m going to lose it. I need you to hurry, Son. Please, please, please.”
You tried everything on, strutted around the living room,
Brodie following at your heels. No tears, no fighting, no little brother
beating. It was the best back-to-school shopping trip ever. Promise. You didn’t
miss anything at the store.
Last night, you and I broke the news to dad that you will
get to ride the bus home a few days a week. He wasn’t very excited. In fact, he
told you, “I don’t know if I’m okay with that, Son.” To which you told him, “Dad,
it’ll be okay. I’m in the first grade.”
This morning, you got to leave the cafeteria earlier and go
play on the playground until class started. You didn’t have to wait for a
teacher to come and get you like last year. You didn’t need us to hold your
hand and walk you around like last year either, but we did anyway. You lined up
when the bell rang and waved goodbye. I was very proud.
And very excited.
Your dad was a little choked up, even if he denies it.
When you came home this afternoon, you told me that you
wanted to be the “best kid ever” in the first grade.
I have a really, really strong feeling you’ll be exactly
that.
Happy first day of first grade, kiddo.
Love,
Mom
P.S. Two days ago, you took safety scissors and cut your own hair. In the front. WAY TOO short. We made fun of you until you cried. Then, I took you to get it fixed at the salon. In front of the staff I asked, "And what lesson did we learn about cutting our own hair?" to which you replied, "Don't."
XOXO
