The Last Day of Kindergarten.

Simontiger


It's pretty unbelievable that Simon is finishing his last day in Kindergarten today.


Chris took this shot of him last week when I was in Houston. Running through the house in one of his many costumes. Right now he is "working for" a Storm Trooper costume. He's been wearing this Tigger one for years. [ Just thinking that a layout about his various costumes is definitely in order. ]


Found this one from January 2006 - nothing needs to be rolled up anymore.


Simontigger2006_2 I asked Simon what his favorite thing was about Kindergarten and he  replied, "going out to recess."


Chris and I sat down the other night and reminisced a bit about watching Simon experience Kindergarten. Here are some of the things that stood out for us (it is written to him - these comments will become a layout called "We Remember"):


We remember driving you to school each morning; holding hands as we walk across the cross-walk and always saying “look both ways;” waiting for “the kids” to be released from the cafeteria; you walking upstream into the crowd of kids until you found Alexis and then turning around and heading back towards the classroom; placing your lunch token into the pockets on the wall; taking off your backpack and stuffing it in your cubby; following directions and keeping your "star" in "green" (Chris wondering if we would be walking you in to school when you were in highschool).


We remember the tough transition days in the beginning as you got used to the new routine, new surroundings, new teachers, and new kids.


We remember that many days (just up until about two months before school was over) you would stand at the window next to the door and wave and watch us drive away.


We remember the day we finally followed the regular routine of dropping you off outside. Daddy took the leap first. You were super brave and followed the directions perfectly. Such a big kid.


We remember watching, and working with you, as you learned to read and write. We remember specifically how excited we were when you came home one day and showed us that you could "correctly" hold your pencil. You would come home from school and pull the papers out of your backpack to show me what you had worked on during class. You would sit at the table working on your handwriting homework and be so proud of yourself as you wrote your letters and later, words.


We remember that lunch from day one has been “school lunch” : chicken nuggets, bagel + cream cheese, chicken burger, cheese pizza, nachos, pretzel, etc. You were always happy to share your choice.


We remember how hard you were working on standing in line and how much you always wanted to be the line-leader. You would come home and tell us about how one of your other classmates got to be line-leader that day and how frustrated you were because it was not your turn.


We remember the star system your teachers used: when your star was in green it meant you were following directions (that was the goal each day...to "stay in green"). You were super concerned on the days your star was in yellow or the very occasional red. You did not like it when your start was moved out of green. You brought your star home yesterday and you were so excited to place it on the refrigerator.


We remember lots of experiences related to the school bus. As the year progressed you got more comfortable on the bus and on many days were fast asleep when the bus pulled up to our house. Some of my favorite memories are the days when I walked outside and saw you sitting next to one of your classmates.


We remember the general anxiety related to your development. Would you make friends? Would you do ok? Would you move forward? The reality is that you did just fine. Sure there were challenges and good + bad days...but overall, you seemed really, truly happy just being you. What more could we ask for?


We remember so many little moments: how you would bring home the same library book week after week and think it was so funny when we would open your backpack and there it would be again; you eating a bagel + cream cheese + OJ every morning for breakfast without fail.


We remember how very thankful we are to be your parents and how much you make us better people every single day.


Dottedline


And when I was going through the large grocery bag of papers he brought home yesterday I found this:


Kinder

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98 thoughts

  1. ms ellie says…
    06/18/2008

    My boys, ages 11 and 12, always loved to dress in costumes. We had big plastic tub full of them, and, Like Simon, "grew into" lots of them.
    Sweet memories--I believe I also see a page coming soon!
    ps--it ends way to quickly.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Deborah P says…
    06/18/2008

    Is my memory faulty (my nieces and nephew are all in their 30s now), or is that drawing very advanced for a kindergartner? I can't remember them being able to do anything that accurate and detailed. Good for you, Simon! And, when you take your first flight into space and we watch you on television, we can say we "knew" you when!

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  3. Nicky Anderson says…
    06/18/2008

    PS - Hope the last day is a good day for Simon!!!!
    One more week of school for Brody - and this last month has been tough for him.
    Nicky

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  4. Monique says…
    06/18/2008

    What a beautiful post! Definitely some great moments to remember. My DD will be starting pre-K this fall, I can't wait to see her learn so many new things. She's growing up so fast! We made our own list last week about the signs that show that she's growing up, it was a fun family moment. Have a great day!

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  5. Emilyt says…
    06/18/2008

    My daughter completed kindergarten this year also and so many of Simon's achievements and habits are similar to Megan's. It's been so great to see the changes and be so proud.
    Way to go Simon!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. jenn says…
    06/18/2008

    so awesome!!! Congrats Simon!!! Onto a great summer and next year :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Emilyt says…
    06/18/2008

    PS - Megan wants to be a veterinarian. So cute what they have on their mind at this age!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. beth says…
    06/18/2008

    this is a great post. thank you for sharing your thoughts and memories of this awesome part of your life.
    hope you are having a great week.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Lawren says…
    06/18/2008

    what a wonderful way to remember such a big year in Simon's life. very cool that you are taking the time to write/type it all down on paper/blog...I must do this!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Ali says…
    06/18/2008

    Thanks for all the kind words :). He came home SO EXCITED today!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Terri Bradford says…
    06/18/2008

    Ah, love your thoughts and notes to him. TFS! How fast they fade if you don't write them down. My son offically graduated elementary school this year, so this makes me so teary-eyed thinking he is going into middle school next year! Not ready for that. ;)

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  12. Holly T says…
    06/18/2008

    My oldest just finished Kindergarten too. I love Simon's drawing...very good work! :0)
    Love your post from today...getting down the memories from Kindergarten...wonderful reminder.
    Blessings,
    Holly T.

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Jennifer Davis says…
    06/18/2008

    Ali,
    Great post! I have a son about Simon's age (he is going into kindergarten this next Fall) and the post hit close to home, especially when I learned that Simon too wants to be an astronaut, just like my little man.
    Keep up the great posts and I wish you all the success in the world!
    Thanks - Jennifer
    (a fellow Oregonian who loves photography and layout design)

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Jeannette P says…
    06/18/2008

    Ali, that was so touching and wonderful of you to share with all of us. My daughter 'graduated' from Kindergarten 2 weeks ago today and I don't know how I actually made it through the whole ceremony with just a "few" tears instead of being a sobbing, blubbering mess. It is truly amazing how much these little ones can learn in one school year. My daugther is reading, writing sentences using inventive spelling which is actually getting better with so much practice, and the transitions she made throughout the year to get on and off the bus nicely, as well as follow directions in class was just amazing. Guess it's time for me to write her a little letter reminiscining all the things she's accomplished this year. Thank you so much!!!

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  15. janine says…
    06/18/2008

    I really loved reading this post. My little boy is just finishing Primary 1 and I am filled with so many mixed emotions. I have already planned a mini book about his first school experiences but I love your idea of a layout about the things you remember. It's funny too how the distance of vast continents can't make 5 or 6 year olds any different from each other. I recently did a layout about Patrick's array of superhero costumes. It's here if you want to check it out.
    http://itsallgood.typepad.com/its_all_good_life_with_th/2008/04/thinking.html

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  16. Tif (T.Matthews Fine Art) says…
    06/18/2008

    What a cutie!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Lu says…
    06/18/2008

    I would say your scrapbooking has a big influence on Simon. Look at that scalloped border LOL.

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Emily Zhang says…
    06/18/2008

    Wow! ALi, I admire you! Every morning, I read your blog and today as usual but it touched me so much as for today... I am so proud of Simon too! I think this summer holiday,I need to sit down and think about my girls' journey too. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  19. LisaZ says…
    06/18/2008

    Yay, Simon! Congrats from another proud Kindergarten graduate mom!
    Love the Tigger costume, I remember it well. My little guy outgrew it a while back. His latest greatest is his Arizona Cardinals football uniform. In fact, his "What I Want to be when I grow up" page said he wants to be a football player. Love that!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Lyn Meeker says…
    06/18/2008

    My son just turned into a Senior .. and I can remember his last day of kindergarten like it was yesterday! ... I love what you have done with the "remembers" ...

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Rhonda says…
    06/18/2008

    Hi Ali! I am a kindergarten teacher, and it is always funny that the kids always choose recess, lunch or gym as their favorites...I have to be a 'big kid' and let it go when their favorites often times have little to do with what we did every day in class, but I remember they are kids and hopefully later they will remember and love all the 'other' parts too. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face as I sit here on Summer Break -- I am so lucky to be a Kindergarten teacher who loves recess, lunch and gym too. ;)
    Rhonda :)

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  22. melissa w says…
    06/18/2008

    Isn't it crazy how you can get teary eyed about a kid you never met? Thanks for making us feel like we know you!! You are an inspiration.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Bec says…
    06/18/2008

    My baby boys are long grown and quite tall now :). It was so sweet to read this about Simon and all the progress he is making. Thanks for sharing something so nice at a time when so much seems so grim.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. kim Strother says…
    06/18/2008

    My son finished kindergarten last Wednesday. It is one of my top 10 best days ever!! So proud, so bitter sweet!! I love to read all the stories about Simon because he is the same age as my son (within weeks). Reading about Simon's year made me feel as if I was reading my sons story, so many similarities. Thanks for always sharing, and
    CONGRATS SIMON, YOU'RE A BIG FIRST GRADER NOW!!!!!

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  25. Amanda N. says…
    06/18/2008

    Congrats to the future first grader and family! I have taught kindergarten for the past four years and I get to see first hand all the experiences you just described....an awesome part of my job! :) We make kindergarten scrapbooks every year (396 pages later) and the kids and parents love them. One of the pages is just like the one you described. I know Simon will love looking back and remembering all the great things about kindergarten.

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