Patrick's First Summer Vacation

Patrick finished his first year of preschool today. Now I'm stuck with him all day long...

Kidding. Mostly.



I'm excited for all the fun things we will do this summer. Taking some trips with various grandparents, fun playdates, getting outside and throwing the schedule out the window and enjoying unstructured playtime. But it's so nice to have a small break with only one kid to haul around.

Plus, it's been such an amazing success for him. Patrick has grown in so many ways, and I'm so happy about the whole darn thing (except that pumpkin patch trip, Lord what a hassle). His teacher were wonderful and really got him and his quirks. They provided great bounderies while making sure he had fun learning. His classroom was a great mix of boys and girls with lots of different temperaments keeping the room in balance.



My biggest hope for him was some social skills. He's got such a big personality, very outgoing with lots of energy, but his maturity is at the latter half of the curve. He's engaging friends and playing appropriately, using his words to interact, and trying very hard to share. He's still impulsive and needs help taking it down a notch when the play around him gets physical. But it's improved from the beginning of the school year. He's following instructions, doing what he needs to do in class, and playing more independently both at school and home. It's so wonderful seeing how these skills show up at home. Especially that whole playing independently. Love that.



He's become much more inquisitive and the "WHY" phase has hit our home. I'm dealing with why's that I've never considered. For example, "Why is it Tuesday?" "Why did I make that choice?" "Why isn't your lap bigger?" I am better at keeping chill with the question onslaught then the Daddy in the house. But just barely.


We celebrated this day with signs around the house, streamers, a new puzzle, and a wagon ride to get cupcakes this afternoon. His teachers were showered with gifts: cards, flowers, bottle of wine for Miss Laura and Starbucks for Miss Lisa. And they've earned it. Luckily we'll continue to see them at church so the relationship continues.

I'm really proud of my buddy. Patrick is such a riot. There is nothing small about his personality.


You've got potential, kid!