Another school year comes to a close. I'm really looking forward to this summer and all the fun adventures we have planned, but I feel like I should take a minute and count my blessings. I couldn't have asked for a better school year for both my children.
Katy started Middle School this year and I was pretty nervous for her. Not academically, but socially. She's not a very confident kid, and friendships don't come easy for her. I was worried that she'd be eaten alive by the social hierarchy that is Middle School. I can honestly say the year didn't start out great, but slowly but surely she found a little group she's comfortable with. These are nice girls, uninterested in social status, who seem to like Katy for all her good and bad qualities. What more could you ask for? In addition, she had a nice time on the cross country team, found that she loved the high jump in track, and even asked if she could try the band next year, even though she's never played a musical instrument in her life. She also wants to try out for volleyball, even though she told me she probably won't make it. I love that she has the courage to try things she's not good at. Wish I could take credit for that - but I'm positive she didn't get that trait from me. And I've found myself looking at her this past year and wondering where all the time has gone. I swear she was just a little preschooler sitting with me at the kitchen table coloring in her coloring book. She's growing up so fast. I know I'm biased, but I think she's such a pretty little thing, with such a sweet heart. I hope I'm doing OK mothering her through these years...
And Jayson? Well that kid just bowled me over. Sometimes I need a good swift kick in my behind to remind me that my son is perfectly capable of doing wonderful things without me worrying and hovering over him. I've tried to give him some space this past year and I think he did fairly well, thanks to some unbelievable support at school and on the sports fields. His third grade teacher was OUTSTANDING this year and really helped him start to take some responsibility to keep himself organized and take some risks (she even gave him a part in the class play). Jayson was the first in the whole class to master his multiplication and division facts, and he studied his little butt off in science and social studies to earn A's all year. Reading and writing are still a struggle, but its nice to finally see where his strengths are so we can encourage him to pursue those, while still working on his weaknesses. And socially? Well, there have been ups and downs, but I think I worry more about Jayson's social life than he does. He has managed to find himself a very sweet little group of boys that he loves to hang out with. When I go into school and watch the kids interact I'm so grateful to see so many of his classmates treat him like any other kid. And he was lucky enough to be in a class full of very sweet children this year. And if you would have told me a year ago that Jayson would play football and baseball this year, I would have laughed in your face. At last night's game, I watched as a teammate sat next to Jayson on the bench and put his arm around him. As the two boys grinned and cheered on their team, I had the biggest lump in my throat. I don't want greatness for my son - I just want happiness for him. This past year has brought so much happiness.
I'm so glad summer is here. No homework, no crazy practice schedules - just a lot of together time with my kids around my house and in my pool. I know these days are so fleeting. I"ll blink my eyes and my kids will have summer jobs and summer school, and then it's off to college. So I'm enjoying it while I can, and counting my blessings. And let's hope 7th and 4th grade are just as successful! Happy Summer everyone!!
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