We are now in the third week of Kindergarten. Day 1 and day 2 went pretty well. On day 3 we were already pulling him out of class early to head to Utah for the weekend. I sign in at the office, they call the classroom and the teacher escorts him to me. As I'm waiting, I hear an all too familiar cry getting louder and louder. Uh Oh, this can't be good. It's not. He didn't get a stamp.
He has a folder that goes back and forth between home and class each day. Inside the folder is the monthly calendar, this is also the "behavior chart". You're good, you get a stamp. Youre bad, you don't get a stamp.
The teacher explained Carson's love for conversation. Be it in the hallway or during "lecture", he loves to talk. He didn't get a stamp as a result. He was devastated that JJ and I would be upset and disappointed. He was nearly inconsolable. The teacher probably wished she just would have stamped the darn calendar. I was embarrassed by his behavior.
On the way out to the car I took a deep breath and decided to stop. We sat together on the curb outside the school. I hugged him and affirmed him. It was a teachable moment. I later dealt with the issue. "Carson, can you tell me why you are talking in class when you're not supposed to?" His response? "Well, I'm just the kind of kid who has a lot to say. I think of things to say to my friends, so I need to talk to them". I laughed. And he learned from it all. He has gotten a stamp every day since. I even received an email from his teacher today telling me how great he is. Man that felt good.
As the school year approached, I didn't ask the Lord for the elementary's best teacher for Carson. I asked the Lord for a teacher who would love Carson. She does. And I'm grateful.
Truly, my favorite part of the day is picking him up from school. I put Preslie in the stroller and she kicks her legs in anticipation of seeing her big brother. And I can't wait for another opportunity to ask Carson about his day. I have to dig for details. But I love getting his take on the day:
The first week he told me there is boy who is always rough with classmates. He has even spit on a couple of the kids. Carson of course expressed how grateful he was to have not been one of the victims.
Last week Carson admitted to sharing with the class that his favorite food was "ice cream with poop on it. I won't say that again". And we laughed together...and then we talked about why he shouldn't have said it in the first place.
So far this week I learned that there are 6, yes, 6 bullies in his class. And, one of them wants to be his girlfriend. He is not impressed. And then this: "You know what I think is dumb? Addison says that she thinks I should be her boyfriend but that she plans on marrying somebody else. Isn't that dumb?" We laugh together all the way home.
And now he is sight reading some words. It blows my mind how quickly he is learning. Confirming for me that we did the right thing putting him in school now. He loves it. He is thriving and growing. And I am proud.
Last night we stopped at Old Navy. He held up a hoodie, it had a skull on it. I hate skulls. He knows it. I immediately said "Carson you know that we don't like skulls." "Mom, I am a boy. Boys like skulls. And skulls don't HAVE to be evil. Let me be a boy. I like this hoodie. Can I please get it?" JJ and I smiled at each other, shrugged our shoulders and said "OK". Well done Carson. You expressed yourself well and made a pretty good point. It's not about me anymore. It's about letting Carson grow up. Allowing him to make SOME of his own decisions and appreciating that as he is maturing.
I can't tell you how thrilled he was to wear this to school today. 87 is the high today and I'm quite certain he will still be wearing it when I pick him up.
Carson, you make me a very proud momma. I love you.
