Parent Teacher interviews started yesterday, and Dekker’s was at 4:00pm. I was a bit nervous for it, if I’m being honest, because upon picking Dekker up from school, he was SO tired. He draaaaagged his backpack up the stairs like a lazy teenager, and complained as he unpacked it. I was not feeling optimistic about bringing him in to a meeting with me. We only stuck around at home for about a half hour before heading back to school, and I snuck him a granola bar in the van. A desperate move to get some energy back into him!
And it worked! He was happy to have a treat, and it put some spring back in his step. He was intrigued by the weirdly dark, empty school. We sat in the hallway and waited for our turn while he finished his snack. In chatting with the principal as she walked by, I learned that the information I had received earlier had been wrong, and that the meeting was not 45 minutes long (thank goodness!) but rather 15, which is much more doable for a tired six year old.
Everything was running on time and we got in to meet with Dekker’s teacher right on time. And I am SO pleased to say that she had literally no concerns with him whatsoever. There is obviously always an area thats more challenging that can use improvement, but thats learning, right? She just gushed about how much he’s learning and improving, and really stressed how hard he is working. “He really tries hard!” she said over and over. She showed me his “scores” from the very beginning of the year and where they are now, and it was SO amazing to see just how much he’s learned in only one months time. She even credited some of his learning to the work that Brady and I are putting in, saying it evident that we’re willing and involved. That felt good. We also talked about Dekker’s reactions to things, and how he’s starting to be able to control his emotions a little bit quicker these days, too. Even just that day, he had taken a pretty decent fall on the playground, and had been pretty put off, but hadn’t made a big dramatic scene. Just dusted off and kept playing. For the record, he didn’t even mention it to me! I only heard about it at the meeting! So clearly, it didn’t set him back too far. Lastly, at the end of the meeting, his teacher looked at him so lovingly and told him that he was one of the nicest human beings she knew. Dekker got SO bashful and buried his head into my lap, giggling and saying “sanks.” It was adorable! She made a point to really tell me that Dekker was such a gentleman, and just so so sweet. That he was sensitive and caring and a great helper. She told me she was on team Dekker, and that she had zero concerns with him in any way.
It was a really great date <3
Dekker and I both left feeling great. He was so bashful, but so puffy and proud at the same time. And honestly, I was too! I was so thrilled with how well he’s doing and progressing! I have a nice open door thing going with his teacher, and I know for a fact that she would tell me if there was any extra help needed or any concerns to address. And I love that, right now, things are going smoothly.
We got home and ate a yummy supper, but from about 5:30 on, Dekker was positively itching for 7:00! Today was his very first time going to kids club, and he was SOOO stoked to go!! Every ten minutes or so, he’d ask if it was time. Finally, I got down to his level and assured him that I knew when he needed to be there, and I knew what time it was now, and I would get him there on time. Didn’t help, haha! He was so impatient, but in a really good way.
I got him there a few minutes early, and we were greeted by a good handful of leaders waiting to greet the kids. As they were finding him name on the list, he started taking his coat off and hanging it up. Someone reached their hand out to him, and off he went to join the kids!! He didn’t even look back. No hesitation. Not even for a second.
My heart just soared, you guys.
Last year, this would’ve never ever been the case. Change was SO hard last year, but I’m so glad he got that great push in school, because he is such a social butterfly now!! He was still revved up to go when I picked him up at the end, a full 1.5 hours after his usual bedtime. But he settled in beautifully at home and slept like a rock. It. Was. Awesome.
Yesterday as a whole just warmed my heart. I’m so happy to see my son stretch and grow in new situations! He is such a gem. You should all really hang out with him sometime. He’s a keeper.