Excuse the tears

Just taking a moment to wipe my eyes. Today was Zeke's last day of "school." It seems momentous some how -- he is so changed from the one year old who spent the first day crying. Of late he has been reluctant to say good bye to me at drop off, but much more reluctant to leave in the afternoon. Leaving can take up 20 minutes to get out of there, especially if they spend the afternoon on the playground. After we finally make it up the drive to the parking lot, Zeke then has to stand in front of the fellowship hall and read the letters from right to left (?) on a sign with the church name. A few of the boys in his class also like coming up to this area and will either try to read the sign with Zeke or run around the tree there. I don't know why this little group is attracted to this area, but they all like staying late after school.

It was hard to say goodbye today, emptying out his cubby and hugging his teachers. It is not only the end of the school year (and my eight weekly hours of "free" time), but the end of his time at this school. We have enjoyed this school and Zeke is certainly attached to his teachers. He also comes home all the time with words and songs and dances that we haven't taught him (like a new song and dance about frogs where he hops on all fours). Zeke also takes a greater interest in painting and using markers than he did before. I enjoy that he is more social with his peers, and I also really enjoyed those eight hours. I'm really glad that we sent him to school this year. However, in the fall, Zeke will start another neighborhood preschool (same amount of time) that is more closely aligned with what I want (like letters home, more control over snacks, lots of messy time, willingness to use cloth diapers). I would have liked Zeke to be at this new school this year, but they don't take one year olds. I have gone back and forth on my decision, knowing how much Zeke enjoys his school, but am confident that Zeke will adjust. Also, one of his teachers is going to start babysitting for us and we will likely go back for some other programs they have, so today wasn't a forever goodbye.

Stretching out before us we have the whole summer, just me and him, all day everyday. I don't have much planned other than some play dates and music class. (At this point, I wouldn't dream of cutting that out. Zeke now tumbles out of bed every morning asking for music from the class -- Sesame Street viewings are history. He loves that music class.) We might try a few activities and we have a few trips planned, but I'm going to try and keep it simple. I've also as of this week ended my contract work for the summer. Our doings may not be entirely simple, though. My mission is to more actively encourage some potty training, so another reason to stay at home. While I worry just a bit about the both of us being home together so much, I'm looking forward to it, too. We do have a great time together...between struggles for independence and shrieking fits, that is. Wish us well!

Here is a photo of what I expect will be a common summer activity: Mommy leaves the back door open and puts Child and Dog out to play together. I thought this moment from last week was so funny. I gave Zeke a bowl of crackers and then I look over and he has gone outside and just plopped himself down in the middle of the yard where Maggie likes to do woodwork/knaw on big sticks.