Letting Go...

Letting go...
Easier said than done.
He smiled, so I smiled too (but inside it was different).
He was ready, so I prepared myself too.
It was emptier at our house that day, but I cherished the evening together.

Thank you for your calls, emails, & texts...it was just what I needed.

conversations...

I love our conversations with Benjamin...they are usually quite honest, hilarious, & thought provoking; all at the same time. He also loves to tell about his imaginary house, parents, family, etc in IL. This goes back a long ways...from playing with cousin Makenna. Anyway, I often forget to write down what he tells me. I don't want to forget this one though...

Tonight Russell was telling me about someone he works with....he works incredibly long hours, has a terrible commute to work, etc...you get the picture.

Andrea: "Oh boy, what a life."
Benjamin: Mommy, you are so funny. You do not have a life.
You have a family!!!


So true, but I love my family mucho mucho...wouldn't trade it for anything!

more about Benjamin...

Receiving his yellow ribbon from the assistant teacher of his class who helped for part of the year...since finishing her certification she has moved on & has her own class now. His wonderful teacher is in the background holding the microphone. I am amazed by their endless patience & dedication to teach.
our happy boy
the kids from his class who graduated & will go to Kindergarten this fall.
checking out his certificate
lots of smiles! I'm so sorry we didn't get a picture of Nana & Papa with Benjamin. Benjamin was super happy to have them at his school for the special occasion.

About Benjamin...

These days have been busy ones for Benjamin...he enjoyed the workers here last week so much, finished up his Saturday group violin lessons, attended the petting zoo & spring activities at Nana & Papa's neighborhood park (Mommy, I chased the chickens around & around!), and has been busy helping me fill out paperwork for enrolling in a new charter school in RR for the fall (some of the paperwork required his signature & he felt so important writing his long name on the line)

Some things he has said lately that Mom has reminded me to document...

"Mommy, Trevin's cheeks are so fluffy(puffy??)!"

"Mommy, can you teach me how to do a cardboard (cart?) wheel??"

"Today we are sneakers! Trevin and I are sneaking around in your closet!"

something to remember...

Today was a long day & I was feeling particularly tired when Benjamin came to me and said,

"Mommy, I just love you with all my love."

It was so heartfelt & tender and made my burdens of the day so much lighter. I love this precious boy!

Extinct vs De-stinked

In the car yesterday, Benjamin brought up the subject of dinosaurs.

B: Do dinosaurs live around here?
M: No, dinosaurs don't live in TX. They are all extinct now.
B: De-stinked?
M: Extinct means that they are no longer living. Some people think they have found their bones. But that is all that is left of the dinosaurs.
B: What??!!! You mean that the skunks came and destinked all the dinosaurs??

I can't remember what Russell said in response to that...I was too busy laughing!

I love to sit back & watch him learn and try to figure things out. It can be so confusing for him at times.

Soaking it up

Sunny days, blue skies, cool mornings & evenings...we're soaking it up and spending as much time outside as possible.

Benjamin has been learning about salt water & fresh water at school. I opened the windows the other morning as we were eating breakfast & we had this conversation...
Me: "Let's get some fresh air in here today."
Benjamin: "Yes, I like fresh air much better than salt air!"

[They had tasted fresh water & salt water and concluded that fresh water tasted much better, so he must have deducted the same thing about air]

first day of montessori school - august 25

The big day arrived for Benjamin last week - his first full day at the montessori school. Here he is, our happy boy...

Our conversation went like this:
"Mommy, are you going to leave me at the school today?"
[hmm...where is this conversation going?]
"Yes, that's the plan...I'll go home, do my work, take care of Trevin & then come back a little later to pick you up."
"Oh, goodie! I know the teachers will take such good care of me."

So we had absolutely no separation anxiety, no sadness or tears and he loved every minute of his time at school. Yeah!!

My sunshine...

"Look, the sky is blue now!"

"Yes, Benjamin...you add color to our world every day!"
Thank you, son.

According the Benjamin...

...To get the job done right, you've got to dress the part.