I present to you Michael's novel, "My Dog, Foster."
Why is it a novel you ask? Because why yes, we do have a dog named Foster. It is a novel because of this page.
Michael was not born when we got Foster. And we didn't get Foster from a pet store, we adopted Foster from a pet rescue.
The rest of the story is true though.
I don't know if I would call him the "best dog." He is kind of a pain, actually.
Today's was Michael's Kindergarten celebration. They read the stories they wrote and sang songs. And while I have spent the last few weeks really, really just wanting Kindergarten to be over it occurred to me, today, that KINDERGARTEN IS ALMOST OVER. And that means this child, my one and only, BABY, is going to first grade.
This child, who just a few weeks ago, was barely reading, is now reading. And yes, it took some yelling at the school from me and some extra help, but he is. And he can count to 100 and can tell pennies from dimes and quarters. And he may not have had the best year, but he still had a year, and I should still take a moment to stand back and recognize it.
Kindergarten is almost over. At this time last year I didn't even know where he was going to go to Kindergarten. He has friends, he has really good friends. And I have friends too. And somehow, I really believe next year is going to be better.
To quote Michael's song from today: "Goodbye Kindergarten: Movin' on to First Grade."
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Congratulations on his reading! That’s wonderful!
I know this feeling! Had the same conversation with a friend today as my little guy is heading into ‘big school’ come September rentrée in France. Feeling somewhat melancholy about it all. Friends and all.
Woohoo for reading! Such a great step forward.
These kids, they amaze us.
Next will be better! I have faith in the Universe that 1st grade will be kinder to you.
Next YEAR. Typo. Oops.
you ROCK that first grade Michael!
Way 2 Go Dude!
Yay! The year did go by fast.
Awesome!
Awesome story Michael, what a great ending to your first year of school. Keep it goin’ kiddo, you are doing great!
And kudos to you mama for going all feroci on the school. Hopefully that’ll teach them to try to pigeonhole a little kid!
You survived! If you were in Baltimore I’d suggest Sno-Balls all around (a great way to celebrate anything in my opinion)!
Oh I love his book. You know, kids never get how annoying an animal is. ha. I think that comes later.
I adore his comment about 1st Grade.
I feel exactly the same way about my little guy Ryan. He’s graduating kindergarten in a few weeks, and he’s reading up a storm, telling me the differences between pennies, nickels and dimes, and writing similar books on a daily basis. I can’t believe he’s going to be in first grade next year, though. It’s crazy! Congrats to you guys!
Congratulations to you both! Reading already, that is awesome! I taught a class of 28 first graders and could probably count how many could already read on one hand. He’s going to do great!