Kindergarten Babies No More

This transition was easier to take than last year's pre-k graduation. Still hard, though. I'm not one of those moms who cling to the past; on the contrary, every stage has held enormous joy and the next one eagerly awaited. I just can't believe how fast time flies (worst cliche ever, but true) - seems like just yesterday these two little angels came into my life.



Now they are big boys. Even though they still sometimes say "thinger" instead of "finger", they still insist on being called "boys" instead of "my babies".

This year was full of firsts - PG movies made their debut, training wheels came off, and shoes were successfully tied without Mommy's help. We graduated past Goodnight Moon and made the leap to chapter books like Harry Potter - even though Dr. Suess still rocks. And perhaps the most exciting change for my children: enjoying half-hour cartoons on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Yes, folks, Nickelodeon has replaced PBS for thirty glorious minutes every weekend.

This year started out wacky and rough, but ended with ease. Our boys - such terrific kids.

My oldest is a charmer, kind and considerate. Smart and eager to learn, he leaps ahead in school and then helps other classmates catch up. He loves making people laugh and would play baseball in the backyard all afternoon if I let him. His favorite activity is swimming at Nana and Grandpa's house with sleepovers afterward where he runs the show. I love his frequent hugs and kisses.

My youngest is too cute for words - quite bossy at times but sweet and affectionate, too. He's a natural leader and athlete, intelligent and kind. A terrific combination. When he split open his chin last week and needed six stitches, he ran to me without tears and said, "Mommy, I look like Martin St. Louis!" This kid questions everything and enjoys "teaching" his friends at school all the exciting things he's learned. I love how he lists every kid in class when I ask about his best friend - and number one is always his brother.




They are alike, yet different in so many ways. My first-graders...