A Note to Eli-First Day of PreK-3

Dear Eli,

Once again, we're at the end of another summer. I think this one went by the fastest since you came into my world, and it's probably because we were busy from sunrise until sunset every day. In two short months you have accomplished so much! The first day of summer you were floating in Mr. Art's pool in your green puddle jumpers scared to death to even put your face in the water to blow bubbles. Tonight I watched as you dove in our pool over and over retrieving your favorite dinosaur off the bottom. This will be the summer I forever remember as the summer you turned into a fish :) Everyone that knows you very well is super impressed with your swimming skills. You have gone from a little boy who couldn't stand to even get his face washed at bath time to a little boy who runs through sprinklers, jumps into pools, goes underwater, and swims all over the place. I'm so proud of you!!

Not only was our summer spent in the pool, but you and I made regular trips to the library. I don't know if you have realized it yet, but your mother sometimes leans a little towards the nerdy side. Going to the library with you was one of my favorite things to do this summer. I loved watching you fall in love with  books and stories just like I did when I was little. As a teacher and as your mom, I know how important a love of reading is and it's something I truly hope to pass on to you. Your imagination has grown so much this summer and I can't wait to see how it will continue to grow as you get older. We just recently started our first chapter book series-The Magic Tree House- and you have fallen in love with reading. I started reading the first book just to see if you would have the attention span to sit through a chapter and when I got to the end of the first chapter one you immediately asked why I stopped. I knew then that you were hooked. We're on book five now of the series and we both love the time we get to spend reading together at night.

You and your Daddy had a summer full of fun as well. Nothing makes my heart fuller than to see the two of you together. You adore your Daddy and the same goes for him. Watching the two of you play baseball in our front yard gave me a glimpse into our not so distant future of days that will be spent at the ball park. I can't wait to watch you participate in sports. Okay, well if I'm totally honest about that, what I really can't wait to see is you in your little t-ball uniform :) You're going to be the cutest little ball player ever!

Tomorrow morning you start school again. You went to bed so excited about seeing your friends Hannah and Logan and your teachers Mrs. Paige and Mrs. Jody. This year it's a little different than it was last year. We have some familiarity to our routine and that makes this transition back to school a little easier. I love that you get to have another year with Mrs. Paige and Mrs. Jody. They love you so much and take such wonderful care of you! You are going to make so many new friends and have lots of fun experiences. I know tomorrow is going to be a great day for you, and I'm already anticipating picking you up from school so I can hear all about your first day. I am so excited about everything you are going to learn this year and how much you are going to grow. Just like always I want you to know more than anything else that your Daddy and I love you. We love you and we are so proud of you! You are such a smart and sweet little boy. You make everyone around you happy and smile! You are full of joy and you bring so much joy to others!

Eli, more than anything else in this world, I want you to be happy. I want you to discover God's purpose for your life and to live for Him every day. Tomorrow when you go to school, your Daddy and I won't be there, but you'll be in our thoughts and prayers until we pick you up again. I'm going to make sure to give you an extra hug and a kiss in the morning and tell you how much I love you. I know you won't forget because I seem to tell you every chance I get :) You are going to have a wonderful day and a wonderful year. I look forward to all the great things you're going to do and accomplish this year. Always remember just how special you are and how much you are loved. You are my heart and I thank God every day for blessing my life with you. I am so proud, grateful, blessed, and thankful that God gave you to us to raise. You are an incredible blessing! I love you my sweet little man and I can't wait to see your sweet smiling face tomorrow afternoon :) You are going to have a wonderful day!

I love you with all of my heart!
Mommy :)