First Grade

Today marks the final day of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation.  Hammer finished first grade with these remarks:

"I hope my last day of first grade is as awesome as my first day was."

I love him. 

Here are a few highlights from Henry's year as a first grader:

- he learned that he does indeed like peanut butter.

- Henry does not love to write and tries to rush through every writing assignment. But, he is a pretty great speller.

- Henry mastered addition, subtraction, multiplication and started division on his xtra math program. If you see him anytime soon he will be certain to say, "I passed multiplication and did you know I can do division?" He's really proud and not at all modest. 

- he learned more about friendship and developed several really great relationships.

- he learned the f word, too. 

- Henry started to push the boundaries and found out that some behaviors do not come without consequence. But, he also discovered that it's okay to get in trouble if you are able to repair whatever was broken as a result. 

- he learned to ride a bike without training wheels. 

- Henry excelled in reading and finds great joy in reading and visiting the library. I hope this sticks.

-  Henry is able to use his words very well to express true kindness as well as pure anger and hurt. 

- he continues to be a big fan of Isabelle and a really great big brother.

- he still sucks his thumb. 

- Henry wants more independence from Nick and I and is eager to do things on his own and away from us. 

- favorite color: green

   favorite food: pesto

   favorite books: magic treehouse series and captain underpants

   career aspirations: "a sport person."

I'm really proud of Henry and the person he is becoming. I'm extremely lucky to be able to stay at home with both kiddos and have the summer to relax and really get to know them. I was experiencing a bit of anxiety about summer and the shift in routine. Then I realized that this is probably the final summer I will have with them at home as I will return to work after the next school year. Life is moving really fast. The kids are growing up, becoming amazing, challenging, and awesome people. I think I'd better slow things on down this summer. I'm going to be sure to not over schedule our days and nights. Rather than "we're so busy," I'm going to try for "we're so relaxed." And you know what? I think we are going to have some great fun and instead of fearing how quickly my kids are growing up, I am going to embrace how much they have grown into two people I really love.

Physical Fitness:: Bam!!

Have you ever heard of the people who feel amazing after working out? They get some type of surge of energy? I don't feel this way. I feel like I'm gonna die and/or that I want to eat 15 Big Macs. I just finished my workout at the YMCA and am now writing-  I don't have much on my mind except Big Macs so I'm not exactly sure where this is going. 

I can't lie- in the moment, I love the workout. When I'm able to push myself to do new things because I'm a little stronger, I feel amazing and a bit super. Then I collect Isabelle from the kid care, eat an apple instead of the damn Big Mac, and contemplate sleeping all day while Isabelle watches Dora. I decide that last part is a horrible plan, we do something else and then I repeat the whole thing the next morning. I would like to develop the inner motivation marathon runners have or the something, anything that helps keep people on track. What's the secret? 

My sister in law, Mindy, can do a handstand push-up 11 months post partum. For real. 

My sister, Katie? She has two young children and does handstands in her yoga class. True story.

One time, I tried running on the treadmill and ended up with plantar fasciitis. 

But, I keep trying and I keep going to the gym because it makes me feel pretty good. It makes me feel like I am making the right choice for my health and for my family. I sure do wish the act of walking into the gym could help me loose 10 pounds before I have to wear a, gulp, swimsuit. But, it doesn't. So I walk on the treadmill or ride a bike. I lift some weights and do sit-ups. And, I steer clear of fast food places right after leaving the gym. And you know what? I do eventually feel a surge of energy, I turn off Dora and head to the park with my kid.