During the first week of school, the kindergarten teachers gather their classes outside and wait for everyone to arrive and then all walk in together. Then, on the second week of school, it's up to the kids to make it to the classrooms by themselves. While we were walking to school on the day that it was up to B to get himself to his room, I asked, "Hey bud, you want me to walk you into school and to your room?"

B replied, "No, that's ok."

Surprised (and slightly taken aback), we silently continued our walk to the school. Upon arrival, I asked one more time. But he stood firm.

"No, I'm ok. I think I'll stop and get some breakfast first, too."

And in that moment it all changed. I've joked in the past about E growing up so fast and being Miss Independent, but I always had my baby--I always had B. And suddenly--he became Mr. Independent and I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR ALL THE FEELINGS.

That was in September. I'm still "dealing." Although, I should have been a tad prepared. We did have this conversation the day before he started school:

Me: Buddy! I'm gonna miss you tomorrow when you start K! We've had so much time together, just you & me.
B: Yes, but I guess it's just time for me to break off.

He was ready.

I'm so proud of B and all that he has accomplished this year. Two years ago we were on the fence as to whether holding him back a year was the best choice and now, as the end of kindergarten draws near, I have no doubt that it was, in fact, the best possible choice. He has THRIVED in kindergarten. That extra year of preschool helped prepare him for this transition and it could not have gone better. He is making friends, reading, learning math, and he's happy--what more could you ask for?

I think one of my favorite things over the year are what other people say to me about B. Some of my favorites:

"He's the sweetest boy."
"He's welcome over to our house anytime, I've never seen such a polite young man."
"Wow, he can eat!"
"What an appetite that one has!"
"He NEVER leaves ANYTHING on his plate at lunch!"

Yes, most of the things that people talk to me about have to do with his eating skills. He has a reputation for being a good eater. Friends have commented on it, people have stared in disbelief, & even teachers have stopped us in the hallways at school to tell us what a good eater he is. I'm so proud.

And now...B's best quotes over the past year. He definitely has a way with words.

First, his unusual way of referring to certain things

Face girl mask = facial appointments
Humidity fire = humidifier
Starvey hungry = B's permanent state
retiring = overtiring (after watching Cars 3)
"I need a sniffle machine." When trying to ask for a Kleenex while feverish.
Inside this out. (Make something NOT inside out)
Vacuum the grass = Cut the grass
"Oh manners." -- What b says instead of "oh brother."

It was a year of firsts...

First day of school (E sending B off).

First time at First Ave.

First time READING A BOOK ON HIS OWN.

First tooth lost. Or should I say "first tooth eaten" instead? Because his first ever tooth was "lost" while he was eating lunch...

First time truly obsessed with sports--ALL sports. Started with baseball, moved to football in the fall, then basketball in the winter. Now that it's spring again, we're jumping back on baseball bandwagon (including his first year in Little League!).

First time writing sentences. Any guess on the word they were practicing?

First time writing a postcard (cuson = see you soon).

First time REALLY swimming--like diving down to retrieve toys in the pool.

First time imprisoning his stuffed animals for breaking the Brandon Law.

First time in the Imagination Fair, doing a project HE DID ON HIS OWN.

First trip to the ER for stitches.

And now some other fun quotes from over the past year.

Overheard my kids playing “Alexa.”
B: Alexa, play wheels on bus.
E: 🎶 Wheels on the bus go round & round... 🎶

Daddy was cleaning up B’s stitches & he kept repeating “I’m a fluffy cloud, I’m a fluffy cloud, I’m a fluffy cloud...” as a way to calm himself, it's apparently from Cars 3.

When telling his friend Alice about what she'll do in kindergarten next year. "In kindergarten, you’re definitely gonna learn about black history month & Dr. Seuss’ birthday."

After Alice left that day, I happened to look at B's tablet. He is quite a photographer...and loves his buddy, Alice.

When Grammy and Grandpa told him that they were going on a cruise, B kept calling it the Disney cruise because that’s the only cruise he thinks exists.

When describing his changing taste in the news: "I was a big fan of Lester Holt when I was 5. When I am 6, not so much." (Only because we just don't watch the nightly news anymore.)

During the Olympics, every woman they would show skiing had B asking, “is that the ‘this girl is on fire’ girl?” referring to Lindsey Vonn’s commercial for the Olympics but he couldn't remember her name.

Overheard the kids singing "12 Days of Xmas" but on every day they sang, “I don’t know” because they don’t remember.

“I’m waiting patiently.” As he waits for us to help him anything. Typically spoken every 30 to 45 seconds. SUPER patient.

“Hey daddy. I switched to Geico” said totally straight-faced and seriously.

B: “How are humans made?”
Me: “What do you mean?” (Silently contemplating if it’s time for the talk...)
B: “Like how does the skeleton all go together?”
*big sigh, much easier question*
Me: “Well ...”
Suddenly realizing that maybe it's not that much easier of a question.

B: "Who tooted here?"
Me: "Was it you?"
B: "Oh yeah, I forgot."

Random question: “When you were training to be a mom did you exercise a lot?”

Passing through New Hope.
B: MOM! We're in A New Hope!

It was also the year he became silly. A jokster. Willing to do anything for a laugh--his number one target? His sister. While most of the time it's adorable and funny and I love it, sometimes it's... not those things.

I'm not joking about the eating thing...

When I picked him up from a play date the first thing I was told, “Yeah, he ate great. Should not be hungry tonight.”

Every night, after his first bite of dinner, "Can I have more?" or "Who gets the extra?"
Always worried where all the food goes & if he'll get enough. I SWEAR WE FEED HIM!

Brandon telling me they had quesadillas for lunch at Grandma's.
Me: Did you like it?
B: Yes! It was with cheese AND chicken.
Me: Yum! We should make that here!
B: {Incredulously} That's a GREAT idea, mommy. But, one thing, they can be a LITTLE tricky.
Me: Ok, well I'll try.
B: Yes, just make sure to follow the directions.

B: Do you know how to get to pizza ranch?
Me: I'm not sure, I think so?
B: Go to Grandma's & then get in their car & go!

Oh, and the sports talk...

Monday night football conversation.
B: I just don’t like those Dolphins. Go, Patriots!
Me: Why don’t you like the Dolphins again?
B: Because they beat the Broncos once. 35-9.
Me: *googled to verify this, he was right*

For a few weeks of the football season, B kept referring to the Browns as a combo of their name + the Redskins & we had multiple “WHOA, NO” moments. (He no longer does that.)

One night, the kids were picking which teams they wanted to win.
B: E, do you want the Cowboys or the Giants to win?
E: I'm not sure.
B: I'm going for whoever wins.

But B is a sweetheart. One evening he stopped in his tracks and made me open the door because he saw the moon through the window on the top of the door. “Mommy! Open the door & look! The moon is so pretty!”

He also has started telling me how pretty I look--something I'll never get tired of hearing. He even said this when asked what he loves about himself at school. You can find him in the top left corner, next to the "What."

Finally, his annual birthday survey. Not too many surprises but I'm very embarrassed over his favorite song choice. Marc is not acknowledging that his son said this.

Age: 7
Favorite Color: Red
Best Friend: Bennett
Favorite Snack/Treat: M&Ms
What do you want to be when you grow up: Mailman
Favorite Song: “Thunder” Imagine Dragons
Favorite TV Show: Mickey Mouse & the Roadster Racers
Favorite Movie: LEGO Batman
Favorite thing to do with family: Movie Nights
Favorite Book: The Target Field Book
Favorite food for breakfast: Blueberry Waffles
Favorite food for lunch: Pizza
Favorite food for dinner: Pizza
Most important thing learned so far: "break apart sticks"—math
Favorite Toy: Basketball hoop in bedroom
Are you afraid of anything: nope
Favorite thing to do outside: go to the park
Favorite place to visit: YMCA
Mom's favorite thing to do with you: Listening to you read—you’re learning so much!
Dad's favorite thing to do with you: Playing catch
What is one thing you want for your birthday: Thor doll
How are you celebrating your birthday this year: had a party at the YMCA, went to the MOA, went on rides, went out to dinner.

Happy birthday, buddy. Don't lose your sweetness. I'll even take your appetite if you never stop making me appreciate the moon and loving your WHOLE self.