Drop off went smoothly. This year, since your brother has already gone to that school for three years, we were greeted by a lot of friendly faces which made the first day less scary. We had quite a bit of time for you to play before the bell rang and right before you went in Daddy found you a “good luck” praying mantis. We were able to come into class and say goodbye to you there. You did great. You seemed a bit quiet taking it all in, but there were no tears from you. I teared up, but you being so brave made me brave, too.

Liam, you are funny, sweet, sensitive, loving, quiet, loud, inquisitive, peaceful, affectionate, and kind. I have loved having you all to myself these last 5 1/2 years, but I know you are about to get the tools you will need to continue down life’s path. We are beyond proud and lucky to have you to call our son!

When we arrived home I had a gift for all three of you boys.  A book each that was fitting to the stage you each are in….You got two though.

The first one was Curious George Goes To School.  If I could personally thank H. A. and Margret Rey I would.  Their books and the cartoon based on their books are what helped us get you through your second and most challenging year of life.  You were sick a lot and super sensitive. At times that you were almost inconsolable,  we learned that if we turned that show on or read you one of the books you were instantly calmed.  Your second Birthday was even themed to Curious George.   We still love to watch it together.

The second book was to comfort you.  Lately, you have been worried sometimes asking me if I would ever leave you and go live somewhere else.  I know in your heart you don’t really think I would, and I know you just want to hear the words “I would never leave” to comfort you little mind.  I am sure these worries have something to do with school starting as well.  So I thought this book was perfect.  Nancy Tillman’s Wherever You Are -My Love Will Find You.

I put you and your brother to bed tonight and I read your new books.  When I got to this part I could barely read it out loud

“And if someday you’re lonely, or someday you’re sad, or you strike out at baseball, or think you’ve been bad…
just lift up your face, feel the wind in your hair. That’s me, my sweet baby, my love is right there.”

When we were done with the books we talked some and then some more, and then some…sleep was not coming easy.  I finally had to give the final “OK..no more talking!”  to which you said “Um Mommy, just one more thing, I love you more then anything.” then you went to sleep.  That totally sounds made up, but it is totally not.

To our next chapter my sweet L, off we go….

You also gained some more independence when your Dad and I let you and Jack wander off to explore in the wilderness explorer area at California Adventure.  We were never far from you guys, but you both felt pretty grown up being on your own.

Sometimes I am sad that you are growing up. I am.  But, I am also looking forward to a lot of things that I hope are in store for us  in the future.  To name a few:  going to see movies that are not cartoons in the theater, going to fancy restaurants and just talking instead of thinking of a million ways to keep you occupied until the food comes, cracking up at inside jokes, car trips, watching TV marathons of our favorite shows, mercilessly pranking your Dad, and of course a lot more trips to amusement parks where you are brave enough to go on everything.  I hope you know what a gift you are to us.

I am so proud of how much you love animals and how gentle you are with them.  Today was borderline cuteness overload as you were so sweet with your baby brother as well.  You kept getting him his own guinea pigs and showing him all the animals.  He already looks up to you so much and I have a feeling he is going to miss you terribly while you are at school.  Pick ups are probably going to be the highlight of his day!

When I got home I was going through some pictures and came across the following picture of you at about 11 months.  This was always one of my favorite pictures of you and tonight I found myself just staring and staring at it.  I just wish someone could explain to me how we got here to Kindergarten so fast.

Tonight we went to the store to buy your new school shoes because, unfortunately, Crocs are not allowed at school.  It is Labor day weekend and the store was packed and the selection was pathetic.  After about an hour of trying on every shoe they had left, Jack finally picked out a black pair of Nikes that he said would make him go super fast at school.  So, of course, you had to have that same pair, too.  And, of course, in your size they only had a bright orange pair that were Nike, but a different style.  You said you loved them and I bought them.  After I waited in line and paid, I noticed you looked a little sad.  I asked you what was wrong and you told me the shoes you got kind of hurt , but you really wanted to have new shoes tonight and were hoping those ones would make you really fast at school like Jack’s.  I took the shoes off and noticed you had red lines all over your feet from where they were too tight.  I got the sales clerk and asked her if she could just look one last time to see if they had the same pair we got Jack.  To my surprise, out she came with the same shoes Jack got in almost your size, just 1/2 size bigger.  You tried them on and hallelujah they worked!  I exchanged the other pair and I am so happy that now I know you will be super fast at school too.

Earlier in the day, I happened to have my camera up in the front seat with me and captured a picture of you and your brother cracking each other up in the back seat.  You just looked so grown up to me in that rear view mirror.  Sometimes when I look in the rear view mirror and spot you,  I almost expect to see that cute lil 2 year old Liam sitting back there staring at me with those dinner plate eyes.  Sometimes I feel like my breath is being taken away and think “when did you get so big?”  Sometimes I get sad that before I know it you might be driving and looking at me in that rear view mirror wondering, “When did Mom get so old?”

Then I snap back into reality and remember I decided am not going to get old.

Today they posted the class list for your school. You and your brother both ended up in the classes that we were hoping for!  Hooray!!  For some odd reason, even though I explained it a million times, you were really worried the list was going to tell you that you had to go to a different school.  You were pretty happy when you got the confirmation that you were officially going to school with Jack.  After we saw the list and got back in the car, you asked me if I saw if any bullies names were on the list.  Oh Liam, I so wish it was that easy to pick them out….