wednesday was the monkey’s last day of his first school year. let’s recap some of his newly acquired knowledge, shall we? he has learned…

1. that god “just keeps on making him special.” nice process theology, son.
2. that when school’s out, it’s summer, and when it’s summer, you’d better find some shade.
3. that “addie and brice are dating. this means that addie is brice’s special friend, and brice is addie’s special friend.” [names changed to protect the socially advanced.]
4. to count for hours, cut out shapes, and observe the weather.
5. to mark certain occasions by bursting into song. for example, if someone reappears after being absent, it is customary to sing, ” we’re really glad you’re back… we’re really glad you’re back.”
6. how to draw self portraits:

now for the things that i have learned from the monkey’s first school year. i now know that…

1. good teachers make all the difference in the world. i would send the monkey to the planet neptune for school if i heard that ms. aimee and ms. ann would be there.
2. sharing the dropping-off and fetching responsibilities with my husband is a wonderful convenience.
3. it is okay that i am different from the other moms.
4. the first year of school is just as much about honing the immune systems of children and their entire families (including grandparents) as it is about honing kids’ cognitive skills.
5. the monkey can behave like a monster at home and a boy scout at school.
6. i am really not that different from the other moms.

in case you are worried that my poor child cannot see through all of the curly hair covering his face, we have remedied that problem with a handsome little haircut. now, since it’s summer, i’m going to find some shade.