AJ Is Headed To Middle School

Happy Thursday Girls!  Today is a GREAT day because....

 

Today my kiddos will put another school year in the books!  It has been a great year for them, they have all worked so hard and grown so much this year, but we are so ready for summertime fun!

 

Those of you who know me well, know I am pretty emotional, especially when it comes to my kids.  Every year on the first day of school, the last day of school, their birthdays, and sometimes just random days I look at them and just start to cry.  They are both happy and sad tears...happy because I am just so proud of all of them and the amazing people they are growing up to be, and sad because where the hell is the time going...I mean I feel as though I have literally blinked my eyes and my babies...well they just aren't babies anymore!

 

On Wednesday AJ had his 5th grade promotion ceremony, it is crazy to think that this kid is heading off to middle school, and well I woke up pretty emotional that day.  I understand completing elementary school isn't as grand as finishing high school, but it's a milestone that is celebrated and should be.  These 5th graders walked into school 6 years ago as tiny little kindergartners, and over the years have grown and learned so much, it's so amazing, and now they are ready for their next chapter. 

 

There is no one quite like AJ...he has a personality that is just bigger than life itself, he is confident, strong, smart and walks to the beat of his own drum...and I love that!  Those close to me know that we struggled for YEARS with AJ and his speech, I mean he went to kindergarten and could barely talk, and when he did, not too many people could even understand what he was saying.  As a mom this killed me.  I was so afraid to send him to school, I didn't want him to feel like he couldn't communicate, I didn't want other kids making fun of him, or him being left out because he was different, it tore me up inside.  As parents we want nothing more than for our children to fit in, and my worries about AJ quickly faded, from the second this little boy stepped foot into kindergarten he was surrounded by friends...people can't help but just like AJ.  He spoke very little, used what I called his "safe" words that he knew people would understand, and somehow made it work.  His speech disability was pretty severe in the early years, but it never once held him back socially.  He was athletic, funny, and had so many other great qualities, the speech issue just wasn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things.  Now mind you after many many years of speech therapy and hard work, we no longer deal with it, and I am so proud of how hard this boy worked at his speech.

 

AJ was asked to lead the promotion ceremony for the Pledge of Allegiance, now I am not saying this is a huge deal, but for me, seeing his name on this program, watching him stand up there and speak in front of a hundred people literally brought tears to my eyes.  There was my little boy that just a few years ago, could barely talk or be understood, standing up speaking in front of a room full of people.  This boy has grown leaps and bounds during his elementary school years and I am just proud!

 

We have been blessed to every single year have fabulous teachers, and this year was no exception...we love Ms. Parsons!

 

One last time sitting at his desk!

 

And just like that he is headed of to middle school...his final stroll down an elementary school hall.

 

As we were leaving school I looked up and saw this...totally unprompted by me...they were holding hands and just talking about school.  Talk about totally melting my mama heart.  For the past two years AJ has looked after her at school, walked her to her classroom more mornings then I can even count, when she was upset about going to school.  He is the best big brother out there!

 

And here is my boy on his first day of kindergarten and his first day of 5th grade....this boy and that sweet face has put a smile on my face everyday for the past 11 years...I am so incredibly blessed to be his mother and so proud of the little man he is growing up to be!  There is no doubt that AJ is going to OWN middle school!

 

Now the day needs to hurry up and end so I can have my other two babies home for the summer!

 

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Friday Favorites!