This past week totally kicked my butt.
It started on Saturday--Sam's very best buddy from school, Mekhai, came over. They watched a little Jurassic Fight club (Rebecca said, "look! They're having a nerd-off!") then we hit the mall. Airbrush tattoos...pizza...a candy store run...and the movie UP. (totally not prepared at how that little gem would tug on the heartstrings). They had such fun, and I was completely exhausted by Saturday evening.
Poor Jane...she wanted SO badly to keep up with them, but they were so involved in their own play, and though they did an okay job including her, they were just too fast for her. TK took HER to a movie at the same time, so she wouldn't feel totally left out, but sh has such a tough time being SO MUCH YOUNGER than he is. Poor thing. And she is just so irresistible when she is trying to play with them....("Hey guys! Watch me jump! Guys! GUYS!!")
Monday started with a birthday for me, the amazing new computer, and a red velvet-strawberry ice cream cake. Perfect-o.
We had a brief day to recover on tuesday, then ANOTHER birthday on Wednesday....I still can not believe Sam is SIX! He came down to breakfast to a birthday present on the table....his very own fish. He has been asking and asking for one, and even came up with his name. I vetoed his first choice for a fish name, Mr. Pizza Delivery Guy, and we went with his second choice...
World, let me introduce to you....Jimmy the Fish:
Sam was so pleased with his present, and Jimmy has since found a home next to Sam's bed. Now...how do we keep this guy ALIVE.... ;)
Sam went off to school, happy as could be that he was FINALLY the same age as Mekhai...And being the kind of parent who feels the need to show up EVERY OTHER PARENT, I made THESE:
Cute, and CRAZY delicious. After botching some buttercream, I made my favorite swiss meringue. Which is like marshmallow. JUST like marshmallow. And when you top that with crushed graham crackers, like on the little beach ones, you end up with a s'mores cupcake. WHICH IS AWESOME.
That night we had Auntie Becky, Granny and Auntie, and the Millers over for spaghetti and cake. At the birthday boy's request. Some kick-butt cake and presents, and it was a damn fine birthday. He cleaned up in the cash department, ("WHAT??? $16??") and when he opened a card from our friends the Guenards, and found a gift card (to the incredibly delicious Bliss Dairy in Attleboro...yay ice cream!) Sam held it up and said, "I HAVE A DRIVING LICENSE!! A LICENSE!!!" He hasn't asked to borrow the car yet.
(sigh, I love those....thanks, Auntie Beck!)
I love that Sam can read his own cards now...
WHAAAAA---???? A BIONICLE DINOSAUR??? SHUT UP!!!!
WHO WILL PUT THIS AWESOME THING TOGETHER???
Right. Me. Remind me why I thought this was a good idea???
Another day to rest on Thursday, before today's EXTRA big day.
KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION.
Tell me what is cuter than 6-year olds in little silk caps, singing songs.
RIGHT--them getting up and reading poetry in little groups.
Right. Yes. What's cuter than THAT??
Oh--yeach kid coming up, reading out the list of "what kindergarten means to me". Sam's list went something like lunch, gym, music, art, snack, recess, books. Atta boy.
Jane COMPLETLEY enjoyed the whole thing. Especially the singing. This girl CAN NOT WAIT to be in school.
One last song...that HAS to be it for cuteness...WAIT--they aren't going to.....
Yup. They all cheered and tossed their caps in the air. I am officially on adorable-overload.
They each were called up and recieved their diploma, a little goody bag, and Mrs. Bowler said something wonderful about each kid as they came up...it was thoughtful and touching!
See the silhouettes in the back? The teachers said it was a challenge to see of the parents could pick out their own kids....needless to say, we had NO problem...
Doesn't he look like a Peanuts character???
A little reception in the classroom, and Sam pulled me from friend to friend, asking me to take their photo....when your mom's a photographer, I guess that's what you do, huh?
With his teachers, Mrs Bowler and Mrs Tasca. Wonderful women, incredible teachers. We're grateful.
ANd just like that, he's 6, and finished with kindergarten AND special education. He'll do one month at the start of the next school year in speech therapy before he is officially moved out of the special ed program. I am beside myself with pride--I find myself walking a little taller, just thinking about it. It is an amazing thing, watching your tiny baby turn into this bright, loving, kind and funny kid....You make us so happy, Sam!! Onto FIRST GRADE!
love the graduation pics of Sam and his friends! nice to see you in front of the lens too ;) Congrats to you all!
Posted by: Kim | June 20, 2009 at 01:13 PM
Yup, he LOOKS six! Thanks for taking me to his little parties and his graduation. I want to be there when he throws his hat in the air after graduation from the Air Force Academy. Wait...I would be about 87...I'll watch it on my iPhone or maybe Sam can "beam me up" at that point. Thanks for all of the pictures. Oh, Janie, don't be in such a hurry to grow up. Love, Grams
Posted by: Suzanne E. Morrison | June 20, 2009 at 03:18 PM
Oh my goodness he is six. What an accomplishment for him and lots of hard work from all to get to where he is. Congratulations to the newest 1st grader. Love love love the photos and like Grams I'm glad I was able to experience it.
Little advice for Jimmy the fish, make sure he has sunlight everyday otherwise he will get depressed (yes I said depressed, lol) and die. Lauren has had a couple of them and the last one died because of no sunlight.
Good luck and Janie your turn will come soon enough. We need time to prepare!!!
Posted by: Lori Shaw | June 21, 2009 at 03:13 PM
Love it!!! What a great start to summer. (Despite the weather)
Posted by: Danielle | June 22, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Thank you for posting ALL the details. Feels like we were there! Congrats, Sam. Cannot wait to see you this summer. Car-o-lion talks about you ALL the time. I'm thinking beach...Are you in? Sending lots of love.
Posted by: Kat | June 22, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Sa, I relive Che as a little boy all over again when I read these types of blogs. Did you know that Che's favorite color was and still is sorta, red, he also wanted to be a paleontologist. I don't know how many dinosaur books we had but open ANY one of them and point to a dinosaur and he could tell you exactly what kind it was.... I have his kindergarten graduation picture, w/ cap on as well, on my bulletin board. Even though Sam is going into first grade and it seems like leaps and bounds to you, I am SO jealous that you have a SIX year old! Che tuning fifteen this year has been the hardest for me thus far... BEWARE!
Posted by: Kel | June 23, 2009 at 04:05 PM
Awesome pictures Sarah! It looks like he had such a good time.
Posted by: Julie | June 25, 2009 at 02:04 AM