Happy Birthday, Andrew!

Dear Andrew,

Happy Birthday!  You are 7!  Whoa.  Can that be right?

A major highlight of this past year was, of course, Kindergarten!  No longer my preschooler, you became a full-time attendee of Hayfield Elementary School.  You were in Mrs. Schwarz's class.  You absolutely flourished.  You learned to read, tally marks, counting by 2s, 5s and 10s and much more.  You would walk out the front door each day excited for another day at school.  Learning to read was clearly the most impressive thing you did this past year.  Do you remember that was your New Year's goal?  To watch you read to Jay, is something that makes me beam with pride.  I wonder if you realize how much he looks up to you.

September 2013

July 2013

July 2013

Throughout Kindergarten, you also continued to develop into a good citizen.  You pick up trash wherever we go.  You would help keep your classroom clean, help other students and help the teachers.  I can't tell you how glad I am that you love school.  I feel strongly that one’s enjoyment of school helps set one up to succeed.  You are well on your way, Andrew.

June 2013

I am proud of the budding athlete I see in you.  This past year, you played soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, t-ball in the spring and swam in the summer.  You can swim a whole lap without stopping.  When I tell you how proud I am of you, you reply, "it's no big deal, I could swim many laps".  You continue to get braver in the stunts you do off the diving board.  This fall, you are playing soccer again.  You are quite tenacious!  Your father and I love to watch you play this sport that we both love so much.  It is amazing to see the difference between this season and last fall.  Last but not least, you learned how to ride a bike this summer!  You had set a goal for yourself to learn how to ride without training wheels before the summer ended.  Mission accomplished!  

September 2013

 
 

You have become a Lego master this year.  Our home has become overrun with Legos!  You are now able to build an entire set without help from me or Dad.  More fun to watch are the creations you will design on your own.  Your imagination is wonderful.

You also began your quest to become a master gardener this year.  You were very diligent checking on your garden each day.  Marveling at what you would find.  I enjoyed planning, planting and harvesting this garden with you. 

August 2013

You seemed to have grown up a lot this past year.  Maturing more in the past 365 days than in previous years.  You are helpful around the house.  You can reason and rationalize.  You are thoughtful.  You say the most beautiful graces before dinner, remember others and being thankful for our blessings.  I see in you an appreciation for the world around you.  You have outgrown the notion that your are the center of the universe.  Instead, you are aware of your actions and behavior.  You are considerate of other people's feelings.  (Perhaps, you could still improve in this area when it comes to your immediate family.)  But, I see you being kind to others and earning the respect of your teachers, parents and peers.  People actually stop me to tell me what a nice boy you are.  Makes me glow inside to know others can see what I see in you.

August 2013

Happy Birthday, Andrew.  I love you!

Love,
Mom

January 2013