Theodore hit another milestone yesterday. He graduated from Kindergarten. The coordinators of the graduation asked us to send in some things that our little graduates had accomplished this school year and my response was kind of lame. I basically sent in that he’s been learning Kindergarten stuff and that he loves playing baseball. To be honest, Theodore’s past year has been full of changing and growing, way too much to sum up in a 30 second snippet as he received his diploma.

Theodore’s Kindergarten year has looked the way I wish more little boys and girls year could look, he’s spent most of his time just playing, just being five.

Yes we talked a little about letter sounds, did some handwriting practice and started writing numbers and adding. We also got dirty in the backyard, watched cartoons and played games. We spent lots of time with friends and fights with siblings. Theodore learned (is still learning) to be kind and patient, rather than lose his temper so quickly. He spent hours building Lego’s and chasing his big brother down the street. He did not receive one report card, grade or “progress report”. Yet, I know he has progressed.

Theodore’s Kindergarten year has also included something that I am thankful not ALL little boys and girls must face. He has spent the majority of it without his daddy. That boy and his daddy are very close. They have a special connection that Theodore really doesn’t have with anyone else. They understand each other. So having Chris deployed for the past 6 months has also been part of his Kindergarten experience, one that probably “grew” him more than any other.