It's done.

Well, I did it. The long awaited graduation ceremony has come and gone. What a rush. I had so many family members there to cheer me on, a true sign at how supported I've been all along this journey.The months quickly turned to weeks and the weeks to days. This semester moved quickly and though there were minor obstacles to overcome weekly and in every course, there was no barrier stopping me now.I still cannot believe it actually happened. I remember applying for graduation and receiving notification from my adviser that it looked promising, all my credits were lined up and in the computer. My diploma requirements were complete and upon passing the final credits of the semester, I'd be done. For real. All done. I still felt hesitant even after ordering announcements and picking up commencement tickets from the dean's office. I knew that at any moment a pesky email would arrive in my inbox stating that there had been some clerical error and I wasn't qualified or ready to graduate.

That e-mail, well it never happened. But graduation, well it did. Six hundred names in, mine was called. As I heard it read aloud, I could do nothing but smile. And walk to shake hands with whoever was on stage, grab the diploma and smile bigger. Just like that, it happened. Just like that, I'm done with college. I don't know what happens next or where I'd like to go from here. But for now I'm still smiling, still thinking "Wow, I did it. For real" and still so thankful for the opportunity and support all along.



Did it.

writing.

This year at school Mason's started to learn more alphabet recognition, uppercase versus lowercase letters, a little spelling and he has even begun to write letters. I don't know if I was just confused but I swore we wouldn't be writing until kindergarten. Needless to say we're all really excited about it! Mason is captivated with writing and drinks up all the instruction like a little sponge.

The other night he laid sprawled on the living room rug with Michael and wrote all the letters he could get Michael to show him. At first I thought it was bedtime trickery since it was pushing 8:00 PM. But he genuinely asked for "more letters pwease" over and over and over. Until we reached "k" and then we had to force him to bed.


He's practically mastered his name, although we swear were were not trying to be unique, creative or new-aged by spelling Mason with a "z", that's his own tasteful artistic touch on his masterpiece. Trust me, I realize the immense level of my biases for how awesome I truly believe my kids are, but how kick ass is his writing for THREE YEARS OLD? Brag over.


We are learning, writing, and full of curiosity. As bittersweet as each milestone seems to be, I love watching him continue to push the limits of his potential and grow (even if it's faster than I approve of). Go Mase man go!

back to school & a heartbreak.

It's been a week since we started back to school. Mason really loves school - he is a curious kid by nature and always wants plans. I can pack a day full of activities and the second we are done and have some down time its full of "Mommy what are we doing next" and "After we color/swim/run in circles for 15 hours, then what are we going to do" questioning. We are going to CHILL OUT and do nothing, imagine that. Needless to say, school is a nice break for all of us.

This year he moved up to the Older 3's class. He also goes three days instead of just two. His teachers are super sweet and both are bilingual, we've been promised bilingual preschoolers by May. We are pretty excited about this Fall. Mason has a handful of super cute 3.5 year old friends from his class last year which has taken the edge off of a bigger classroom with more structure.
Last year was all play, this year is a lot of play but a little educational structure with some curriculum involved. He already knows his letters which is one of the things they are focusing on this month, but he likes to have a head start.
This first week of school Mason encountered his first heartbreak and it was so pitiful for me to watch. Mason has had this little girl Hanna in his class since they were 19 month old's. They were always inseparable, he would gladly play kitchen with her for hours and she would chase him on the playground. The teachers often used to tell us how adorable they were together and sometimes in the hall they'd catch them holding hands. Serious love people. Well, Thursday the director informed us that Hanna moved - all the way to Boston!! Mason was pretty down in the dumps.
I tried to heal all his heartbreak wounds with a date, just mama and Mason - well and some spaghetti and meatballs. I think it work. Michael mentioned getting a six pack and having the talk. Instead we settled for Bluebell and dinosaur shaped sprinkles. He was back at school today with a smile on his face and a reassurance that "all his other friends would still be there". I guess his gloomy week is over. He moves on quickly - but it was definitely his first little heartbreak and watching his heart break, broke mine.


Disclaimer: Against the wishes of a very cute 3.5 year old, the very Incredible Hulk will not be attending preschool this year.