It’s been a weird first year of school, that’s for sure. Kindergarten officially ended May 21. A few weeks ago, Harlyn’s teacher said during a Zoom call that she was very thankful that the Coronavirus hit in the kids’ fourth quarter, not the first or second, so that she had really been able to KNOW the kids, know how they learn, and plan virtual learning with that in mind. It didn’t hit me in that moment, but it sure did after, that is indeed a huge blessing in all this.
We missed Grandparent’s Day and Mother’s Day Tea and Field Day and end of year fun, but we still had so many good things come of this year. So today, I’m writing this for my sweet girl who started Spring Break thinking she’d be back in two weeks, not the next school year. Well, we hope.
Harlyn,
What a crazy end to your very first year of real school. It’s a little hard to believe that you’re now on your way to First Grade. While it’s been a wild ride, there’s been so many amazing things about this time, and I hope you’ll remember at least a few as you get older. But even if you don’t, I’m writing them down now for you.
First and foremost, what started out as Ma coming to watch you while Daddy and I went to San Diego and then also for your spring break right after, turned into 2 months of QT with Ma. She LOVED getting to homeschool you for the weeks she was able, and you did so great just adjusting to a whole new routine she got you on. There’s no other reason you’d have gotten so much time with her now that she and Grandpa are living in Michigan. You started each morning with cinnamon toast with her and Maverick, and ended your days taking walks together.
Then Ma went home, and you adjusted yet again to Daddy being your teacher. And Mommy too, but only on Wednesdays (and a couple Fridays). You weren’t always ready to start your school, and you did it with plenty of moaning and groaning at times. But you rallied and you got it done every single day.
And i know that both Daddy and I will always remember these months, because there will likely never be another time we’ll be spending this much time, one on one, with you. We’ll never do virtual school again with you, you won’t be home for weeks on end without your brother. We’ve loved seeing who you are when no one else is around. We’ve loved getting moments to teach, to play, and to just be together.
We’ve loved getting a glimpse into what you’re learning, how it’s taught, and the kind of student you are. You are doing really well. But when you don’t understand something, you shut down and don’t even give yourself the chance. I already knew this about you, but it’s been different seeing it happen right in front of me. I can’t even fault you for it, because that is exactly how I’ve always been and something I still work on even as a 34 year old. You are so much more capable than you know. We will never stop reminding you of how strong and able you are.
This season has allowed us so much more freedom and playtime, and I think it’s been wonderful for you. You use your free time to play Barbies or craft. You like to play outside every afternoon, and I’m sad that this week, we return to the “real world” where you’ll be at day camps and you won’t have the freedom you’ve enjoyed so much. You went from being gone from 7:15 AM to 5:30 PM to never leaving home. And now you’ll start a new routine somewhere new, and be gone those long hours again. I’m sorry we can’t stay home with you this summer and let you have that time. I know you’ve loved every second, even while you missed your friends and teachers and longed for normalcy.
More than anything, you’ve proven you’re far more flexible than we give you credit for. We can’t wait to see you in action in first grade, our beautiful girl. Congratulations on an amazing Kindergarten year.
Love,
Mommy
