Watch Out Kindergarten...Here Comes Tate!

The day finally arrived. First day of Kindergarten. The biggest first of them all...the first First Day for our family. I described it as having all kinds of emotions at the same time, but more surreal than sad. It's exciting because I knew Tate was definitely ready, and he was excited to go. Surreal because I just couldn't believe he was really old enough to be going to school.

But as I stared at him at lunch a few days before (hello, creepy mom), I told him that I couldn't believe he was getting so big and that I was really proud of the boy he was becoming. His reply while eating, "OK, thanks...mom I can't believe this apple looks just like a wave." :)

The night before school started we met up with two other families that we are friends with who will have kids at the same school for a time of blessing on the school year. My sweet friend read this letter. If you have kids in school, you MUST read it. Love, love, love it!  I doubt most of the letter and intent behind it really sunk in with Tate that night, since he doesn't even know yet the hard parts about school and friends. But I look forward to continuing the tradition of reading this in years to come.  So glad we did this as it was a sweet time with friends and the kids, but it was also when all of my emotions came out as we prayed for each kid there. (i.e. ugly cry with lots of tears and snot). So thankful to do that in front of a few friends as opposed to his new teacher.  :)

Before he went to bed for the night he came up to me and said, "You know you aren't going to see me much tomorrow, but I'll miss you." Melt. My. Heart (and serious brownie points, kiddo).

Then it was time for The Big Day. I never pretend to paint a picture of perfection, but I have to say, the day went pretty great. He was excited. He was happy. His teacher seems wonderful. Everything felt right. As I walked away there were a few teary moments (nothing like the night before), but more than anything was excitement about all that is to come for this kid whom I love...a Kindergartner!!!!

100 Things To Do Before Kindergarten

I've seen this list over the years and thought it would be fun to compile. As Tate starts the Big Kindergarten tomorrow, I look over the list and realize what a fun 5+ years we have already had with him (85 out of 100 is pretty impressive). His love for life and energy never make for a dull moment. And I love that he embraces anything he does 100%. I know that will serve him well as he enters this new chapter. We love our Kindergartner and can't wait to see what this year brings!

1. Go to the zoo

2. Visit a farm

3. Go on a hike

4. Play with kittens or puppies
5. Catch a frog  (gross...haven't really encouraged that one)
6. Make a gigantic mess

7. Help clean up a gigantic mess
8. Master the monkey-bars

9. Swing high up into the sky all by themselves (He is working on this one all of the time.)
10. Try ice-skating (He is begging to do this.)
11. Go sledding

12. Make a snowman

13. Blow bubbles

14. Plant seeds and watch them grow
15. Have a pillow fight
16. Jump on a big bed
17. Jump on a trampoline or in a bounce house

18. Hang out in a tent

19. Spend days at the beach

20. Build sandcastles

21. Go fishing (How have we not done this?)
22. Go out on a boat
23. Play with blocks and puzzles
24. Read the classic picture books
25. Read a classic chapter book I keep forgetting to do this!
26. Check out library books with their own library card
27. Get a passport
28. Carve a pumpkin So we've gotten out of this by decorating pumpkins. He is deprived! :) Guessing this will be the year to actually carve.
29. Hold a newborn baby

30. Love a special doll or stuffed animal

31. Bake cookies and cakes

32. Help plan their own birthday party
33. Go to the circus
34. Go to a museum on a quiet weekday

35. Play hide-and-seek
36. Play a board game 
37. Do nothing whatsoever all day
38. Try a sport

39. Watch a sporting event
40. Learn to swim
41. Be tickled in hysterics
42. Paint and draw as much as desired

43. Have the use of scissors and glue
44. Display artworks and other creations around the house (look in background on door)

45. Learn to use a camera

46. Play with clay
47. Pick flowers

48. Climb a tree I'm probably supposed to encourage this more than I do. :)
49. Gaze at the moon and stars
50. Toast marshmallows
51. Learn to eat an ice-cream cone
52. Watch a sunset
53. Learn to write their own names

54. Learn their addresses and telephone numbers
55. Learn their parents' full names
56. Set the table
57. Clear the table
58. Help wash the dishes  Haven't even tried this yet...woops.
59. Learn to say their pleases and thank yous and excuse mes
60. Watch fireworks

61. Go to the ballet or theater or a puppet show
62. Put on a ballet or play or puppet show at home
63. Face paint

64. Dress up in costumes at will

65. Learn rhymes and poems and songs by heart
66. Have a dance party
67. Enjoy friends at preschool and at the park

68. Invite friends over to play
69. Get to know grandparents

70. Play with cousins

71. Become attached to a wonderful preschool teacher and/or babysitter
72. Learn the name of our president
73. Know the name of their town, state and country
74. Be familiar with a map of the world
75. Listen to music from many different ages and genres
76. Hear and learn words from a different language
77. Learn the difference between trash and recycling
78. Grow their own vegetables 
79. Learn to ride a bike (or try!)
80. Take a road trip

81. Draw a self-portrait
82. Slurp alphabet soup (doesn't ever eat soup)
83. Learn to twirl spaghetti on a fork (he tries so hard but isn't quite there yet)
84. Pick apples
85. Star in a home movie

86. Learn a magic trick
87. Try different hair-dos

88. Practice writing letters
89. Practice counting to 100
90. Make up stories
91. Send a letter
92. Receive a letter
93. Ride on a merry-go-round
94. Give away toys and books to less fortunate children (a car Tate sent to kids in Haiti)

95. Learn the value of coins and bills (still would rather have a ton of coins than a ton of bills)  :)
96. Keep a piggy bank
97. Try a musical instrument
98. Have a heartfelt wish granted
99. Have a heartfelt wish denied

100. Receive a million heartfelt kisses and hugs from their parents!

Super Summer Challenge ~ 2012

Way to go Tate! Another Super Summer Challenge is in the books. 100 points took awhile to get to, but he did it. This has been such a great way for Tate to work on forming some good habits (without me having to nag) and learning new skills. And I love that he is rewarded, but with delayed gratification. That in itself is a good thing to learn.

We didn't get to every single item on the list, but here were the ones crossed off this summer:

• Two Bible memory verses
• Memorize books of the New Testament
• Church Sports Camp
• Saying respectful prayers
• Remembering on his own to bring Bible to church
• Trying five bites of new foods (salmon!!!!, BBQ chicken, orange chicken)
• Eating dinner with a happy heart
• Not sucking his thumb (this one is HUGE)
• Swim lessons
• Swim length of pool
• Monkey bars by himself
• Swing by himself (got half credit...still working on this)
• Ride bike with no training wheels (had a successful first attempt)
• Kindergarten worksheets
• Write letters A-Z upper and lower
• Zoo Camp
• Art Class
• Read BOB books (made it through 14 books)
• Learn 10 states
• Kindness acts (His favorite was bringing Gatorade to mailman on hot days.)
• Feed Macy without being asked
• Water flowers
• Be a helper for Mom & Dad
• Share toys nicely with friends and brother
• Make a card for someone
• Collect toys for Haiti
• Show good manners

So proud of Tate and the hard work and patience it took to meet the goal of 100 points. It made for a fun summer and some really fun rewards...Golf Day with Poppy, Bowling, Go-Carts, and the 100-pointer....NRH2O!