Today was Joaquin's Pre-K graduation at the Ancilla Center. We had a blast. All the kids performed "circus acts," sang a little song, did a little dance, the parents took a mountain of pictures/videos, and a good time was had by all.
It is also the week that J started to be able to reach the sink without a stool, and reach the water fountain without a lift from Mom.
And the week he had his first overnight slumber party with Blake, Eric, Cole, & Noah at their Aunt Debbie's house. Mommy came too. They were all in their element, to the tune of very little sleep. Poor Deb was not used to kids who wake up at 6:15 a.m. I assured her it took a whole year for me to acclimate to that one!
It was also the week that J started to ask "why?" quite frequently. He'll ask "why?" then start the next sentence for me: "because..."
Even better, we found out that J was admitted to Border Star Montessori next fall. I really lobbied to get him in and it worked out! This means he'll be in a class with 3,4, and 5 year old kiddos. So even though he'll be admitted as a kindergartner, he obviously isn't ready for that yet but he'll be in a cohort of other kids where he won't stand out as "behind" his peers. I believe this will be a great arrangement for him. We'll likely have him stay in that group for two years so he can be well-prepared to move forward. He can then advance to a 1st-3rd grade group, and later a 4th - 6th grade group. He has the option of attending this school until he begins Jr. High. It's a really progressive environment with great ethnic diversity, academic challenge, a very involved PTA, and his buddies Owen, Eli, and Stella already attend so I have built-in support with their parents too. It's one of only three schools I'd want him to attend in our district. This is a big relief to have J be admitted and I'm so grateful! He'll also be able to continue with the same group of educators he's been seeing for speech, occupational, and special education therapies. Lots of continuity. Icing on the cake: he'll have the opportunity to take violin classes at the school - they have a great music program. O.k. enough gushing. I'm thrilled!
These are all signs that my little guy is growing up and I'm feeling a bit nostalgic. He had his first graduation ceremony. How could it be he is ready to move on to the next level? Please stay little! I am reminded so often that "today is the day." Today is the day to enjoy all the little moments, today is the day to go with the flow and appreciate the wonder of childhood. Today is the day. My challenge is to go with the moment and embrace all the changes. He is literally growing before my eyes in obvious ways. What a privilege to be his mom!
I was also reminded this week how well he is adjusting to his life in general. I got a new client at work who adopted three kids, and their family is really struggling. They are struggling most with their kids lack of emotional attachment, and these kids were adopted well under two years of age. They had multiple placements, neglect, etc. before their adoption. I will be eternally grateful that J had only one prior orphanage placement before coming home. Somebody really cared for him, that is obvious to me. He is also a little trooper, so adaptable. This makes an incredible difference for the better. I've decided to send a letter to the orphanage with updated pictures(as I recently was given the address, all in Chinese characters - bonus), to personally thank them for the care he was given. I believe he must have been really well-bonded with one of the caregivers there, so my hope is that this person will have access to the letter and know how grateful I am.
Sometimes I write in this blog and realize that words don't do my experience justice. Joaquin is the gift of my life. How else to capture it that doesn't sound cliche?
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