The Drew & Allen News: Preschool

Today was Allen's last day of 3-year old preschool. I'm torn between my feelings right now. Am I sad that he's finished his first full year of preschool? Happy that it's finally summer? Sad that school's out for the summer?! Proud of him for all he has done?

Yes...that's it. I am beyond proud of him this year. He started school in Arizona and made a very smooth transition to Kansas. He went from a classroom of peers - all with birthdays within a 4 month time span - to a classroom full of "big kids". He is the baby of his class here. His age dictated that he be in a 2-year old, parents' day out setting. Luckily, the director of the preschool listened to what he had been learning before our move and offered to move him up to the 3-year class. He is 2 months younger than the next youngest and a full year younger than some. But he has held his own. His teacher says he hangs in there with everyone and that you would never know he came in during the middle of the year. She signed off on him moving to the 4-year old class next year even though he will be the youngest again. Her words: "He would be bored out of his mind repeating the 3-year curriculum!"

I am most proud of how he handled himself in our first bullying situation. For some reason, I always feared he would be the bully if that time ever came. But it turned out that there was a little boy in his class who bullied everyone. The teacher had talked to him over and over but he still took charge and bossed every situation and was mean to anyone who stood up to him. The other kids just avoided him. Well, when Allen arrived, this little boy saw it as an opportunity to pick on someone new. He is physically much larger than Allen and has a very strong presence. During their open play time in the gym, he would take away whatever Allen was playing with and not give it back when asked. He pushed Allen down a few times and "said mean things" (Allen's words). Luckily, Drew was usually in the gym at the same time and would stick up for him and Drew said Allen was doing everything he should shy of telling any teachers. Their regular teachers aren't in the gym with them - they are with "floaters" to supervise and this little boy was taking advantage of the situation. After hearing about it the first couple of weeks I mentioned it to his teacher. My primary concern was that Drew would take his support for Allen too far and end up being the one in trouble! It turned out that the teacher had noticed some picking in class but was unaware of the gym situation. She spoke with the boys' mother and the little boy apologized. He and Allen have since become friends. At first Allen said "we are both the bad boys in the gym now!" but after some reminders of how we treat people and of how sad it made him when he was being picked on, he decided he could be a good kid again. At Allen's parent conference I asked how it was going and his teacher told us that "Allen is the only kid who will stand up to Matthew when he gets bossy or mean and the other kids have noticed. There is a mutual respect there that the other kids have not learned." Proud momma moment? Yes. He has such a sweet spirit and a kind heart, hidden underneath his mischievous actions and bull-in-a-china-shop personality. I love it when others see it too!

As he finishes this year I think about the bond he and Drew have formed at school. Our move has brought them so much closer together as brothers. Yes, they fight a lot and drive each other crazy, but they support each other and stick together like glue in new situations. At school their rooms are side-by-side and they have free play time at the same time. Very few of Drew's friends at their old school knew Allen existed, much less called him by name. All of Drew's new friends say hi and bye to Allen just like he's part of their group. Drew says "we all play together on the playground so they just know him now!" I am sad that the next two years will separate them at school again. I know Allen needs to make friends on his own and be the strong little boy I know he is, but it's so comforting to know that he has Drew there right now.

So, today I am sad. And happy. And mostly proud. And I am filled with love for my little man who is growing up WAY. TOO. FAST!!!