On to middle school

You know what's just as hard (as a parent) as the first day of kindergarten? The last day of fifth grade. 

I watched Kael walk to his elementary school for the last time yesterday.  It was the last time he was be able to walk out our door and the last time I was able to watch him walk the entire way to school. He was walking confidently, with his pepperoni pizza backpack, excited as could be for the last day. Myself, I was feeling a little sad about it. 

It was the last time I was able to look out my window and see him catch a touchdown pass at recess, like I saw him do just seconds after I took this picture yesterday.

I watched him at recess until the very end.  He's always the last one to line up because he always runs out to the field to shag the balls left there by other kids. Sometimes if he sees me on the deck while he's at recess he waves, and sometimes he doesn't.  Yesterday, I didn't think he even saw I was on the deck, then at the very last second before he got into the building, he looked over at me and waved.  It made my day.  After school he ran through that back gate with such joy and I hope I never forget the smile on his face at that moment.

I'm proud of the young man Kael is becoming.  At his soccer party last night his coach commented on how Kael hustled during practice and never complained.  I love hearing that.  Kael also brought his report card home yesterday and his face lit up when he saw the band section- all "E's", which is the best you can get.  He worked hard learning to play the trombone and practiced almost every day.  I love that he's making the connection between hard work and success. 

Kael has such a special gift- spending time with my grandma is one of his favorite things to do and he often asks if he can volunteer where she lives.  He likes to visit other great grandparents and great aunts as well.

It's been a pretty great six years of elementary school and I can't wait to see where the next seven years of school take him! I'm sure by August, I'll be saying that the first day of middle school is hardest of all, but right now, I'm really looking forward to spending the summer with my pretty special oldest kid! Love you, Kael!