first & last days of kindergarten

I am still using my cell phone as my camera, which is a huge bummer for days like today when I wanted to get a good picture of Camden on his last day of school. But, I guess this will have to do. At least I had some way to capture it.

Today is Camden's very last day of Kindergarten, and I can't believe it! I am so filled with emotions. I am so proud and happy for him that he had such an amazing year, learned SO much, and made so many great friends. I am also so sad for him that it is all over, because he LOVES school. He has said to me many times over the last couple of weeks, "Mama, I don't want Kindergarten to be over." Words like that just rip my heart in half. One of the hardest things I have experienced in mothering an older child is having to watch him go through true heartbreak. Yes, its sad to see them hurt themselves, to see them lose a picture they drew, but seeing your child's heart truly broken over something is the most painful thing I think I have ever experienced! Seeing his eyes fill up with tears on the day of his preschool graduation as we said goodbye to his friends, and now during these last few days of Kindergarten, has just killed me. I am terribly emotional anyway when it comes to "lasts"... so it's been very difficult. I keep ensuring him that he will love 1st grade, and that he will be sad when every grade is over because he will have loved that teacher and those friends just as much as Kindergarten. I know he understands, but it doesn't make it any easier. He spent about 180 days, 6 hours a day with these boys, girls, and teachers. What a hard thing to leave! I know kids are resilient and he will be totally fine in no time, but today is a hard day for us both.

Camden has really grown this year... physically, spiritually, and in maturity. In the last 9(ish) months, he has learned to read, learned to tie his shoes (finally!), held a leading role in his Kindergarten play, asked the Lord into his heart (our favorite "event" of the year!), and so much more. Those are just the big things that come to mind. He is becoming much more responsible and independent, and been able to start going out to play in our little neighborhood (with many boundaries) by himself (or with some neighbor friends), which is really fun to watch. He is at the age where I can remember so vividly doing the things he is now doing. I just love having a "big kid" and can't wait to see what future holds. We are SO proud and thankful for this gift from God!