Part of being a first grader is more and more responsibility and more in depth, more challenging school work.
And- one of the coolest events of the year- a report on a deceased historical figure. You, and each of the Lower Elementary students- chose a historical figure, dressed as them, and presented a report to all of the other children.
This is called "Historical Heritage" at your school.
You had been listening to a Classic Disney Songs CD and really fell in love with the theme song for "Davy Crockett." It turns out that Crockett was a living historical figure- not just a cool song- and so you were delighted to pick him as your subject matter.
You and I went to the library and picked out some books on him.
You and Mommy read the books and you picked out the facts that you thought were the most interesting to you, which you wanted to share with the class.
Mommy wrote them down and you worked very very hard to transcribe them carefully in your best handwriting.
Mommy and you worked on your costume.
And suddenly you were becoming Crockett!
You worked very hard to memorize your speech, practice projecting, and reading your own handwriting.
You had a thirst for knowledge: you were so curious about how Crockett ate the bear meat that he hunted!
You've never lacked confidence, but you worked on stage presence as well. Practicing in front of mommy and aunt sham.
The end result was so awesome, and you Mommy and Grandparents and I are SO proud of you!
You took it all in stride.
Me: "Son, I wanted to let you know how proud of you I am."
Aidan: "I know that! You told me a million times already!" (I had, for the record, only told you once!)
I was most impressed with how dedicated you were to this project. You kept us on schedule. You kept track of your special index cards you needed to write the report on. You told us " I need to work on my aport!" And you did. Weekend nights, early mornings, you couldn't wait to write it down and practice and keep working.
You are truly growing to be a king of the wild first grade! You've grown into the stuff of legend, and even though you've never killed and eaten a bear
One sunny October day, Aidan, you laced up your brand new hiking boots, put on some light-weight, long-sleeve gear, loaded up your new backpack (which you were very excited about), donned your shades and the stature and bearing of a true cool dude and headed off to your very first ever field trip.
Normally you have one or two stories about things that happen at school, but almost two weeks later, you're still telling us new stories about your very first field trip!
You've lately changed amended your plan on what you want to be when you grow up: A SCIENTIST! I can't help but think that this field trip had something to do with it.
You told us about the bus ride and how you sat next to Natalia and Ella.
You told us about how you went to Wayne Ranch.
You've told us about the PRAYING MANTIS you studied.
You told us about the SCORPION in a BOTTLE that you saw!
You told us about LUNCH!
And you've just been very energized and excited about the whole thing!
And THAT is cooler than cool!
Mama and I had a conversation with Miss Ginger, the Eco Lab Teacher, who went with you on the field trip, and she was bragging on you that since the beginning of the school year your spirit has really shone through and that you're getting even more interested in the Eco-Lab subject matter.
She told us a cute story about you on the field trip. You guys were discussing tectonic plates and seismology. She introduced the concept of the RING OF FIRE.
You said "That's my Daddy's Song!"
And then, according to Miss Ginger, you went all in, and sang:
"I fell into a burning Ring of Fire.
I went down, down, down and the flames kept goin' higher.
And it burns, burns, burns
The ring of fire."
What cracks me up, aside from how adorable and clever and bold and creative you are, and aside from the fact that you and Miss Ginger had a talk about Johnny Cash and music, is that I only sang this to y'all like once or twice or ten times one weekend months ago. And it stuck with you...and that's the lesson here... things are really sticking for you now, Aidan, our little naturalist/singer. And that makes me happy; you are getting more and more ready for work in the field.
We bought place-mats and napkins for school lunch...
and we got in bed early...
That's right...It's the FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!
Time keeps on ticking, and Aidan and Julia, the two of you keep growing up before our very eyes!
As the first day approached, the two of you were very excited.
Julia, you are so psyched to be a "full day lunch kid"- that's right: you are in full-day Pre-K with Mr. Lewicki and Ms. Mary! You are a brilliant, smart, clever, adventurous, busy-busy, curious young lady with maturity (sometimes) far beyond your years. In many ways, it's hard to believe you're only in Pre-k. But, it is the right place for you to build and grow and continue to learn. And you are just going to nail it!
Aidan, you are 'moving up' to Lower Elementary 2! New teachers (Ms. Bell and Ms. Gwynn), new friends to make, new class room, new experiences to have. You are also excited about...the girls! You're a bit girl crazy right now, and you're also very excited about going back to "school school." You also are very sweet toward your reading teacher, Ms. Newman, and have verbally told us many times that you're looking forward to working with her. You are a sweet, emotional, true, innocent, exciting, talkative, creative, pugnacious, strong, and resilient young man. You've come so far already, and we are so excited about this big step forward in your development!
But enough of my analysis, let's hear from the two of you directly to give you a snapshot of who you both were going into the 2017 school year, and shining a light on to who you've become as you're reading this.
As you may remember, I annoy you guys once a year with these questions to make some sort of time capsule for you on the first day of school. Here were your answers in 2016. And here are your answers this year:
Julia Sekina Weinstein
Grade: Full day Pre-K
Class: PS2; Mr. Lewicki and Ms. Mary
Favorite Book: 'Princess and the Pony' (aka 'Princess Fart' <second year in a row!>); 'My Big Pink Fairy Book'; 'Pat the Bunny'; 'Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast'
Favorite Movie: 'Frozen' (yes...still); and 'Moana' Favorite Song: 'Tripping Down The Freeway' (by Weezer); "Number Seven from Moana" (Track 7 is "You're Welcome"); and "Let it Go" from Frozen (yes...still) Favorite Food: Candy! and Pepperoni Pizza <second year in a row>! Favorite TV show: Bubble Guppies <second year in a row...and that's odd because you guys rarely watch it>; "Hello Kitty...if we can ever find it" <there is, to my knowledge, no Hello Kitty TV Show!> Favorite Toy: "All of them ... and sparkly stuff...and the Maui toy I got from the Easter Bunny...and stuffed animals and my pink bunny and Tucker my dog...and my Indian scarf and Mia, my baby doll." Favorite Activity: "I like to sew! I like dressing up! I like jumping. I like riding my bike and I like listening to stories." Also.. " I like going to the dentist and following mommy's and daddy's rules so I can stay healthy. I like staying healthy." What I want to learn this year: "I want to go to Ms. Bell's class and work harder and not get in trouble and do what my teachers say." also... "I'm excited for my mom to teach art." Friends you're looking forward to seeing: Ella G and Ella K and Natalia and Tara and Korah and Kara What I will do when I grow up: "I will find bone and paint nails and have fun!" When I Grow Up I want to be: An Archaeologist!
And now about you, young sir, Aidan-- our BIG FIRST grader!
Aidan Powell Weinstein
Grade: First grade
Class: LE2; Ms. Bell and Ms. Gwynn
Favorite Book: "Where the Wild Things Are"
Favorite Movie: 'Storks' ("Because this guy is smelling the baby's tush") and 'A Bug's Life' Favorite Song: 'And in the End' (by The Beatles); "Clint Eastwood" (by the Gorillaz); "Trolls" and "Handlebars" Favorite Food: Fish! Salmon Sushi! "And Toast! And Water" Favorite TV show: "Mr. Peabody & Sherman" Favorite Toy: "My Huggy" (a little white teddy bear) & "Legos!" ("Dad look I'm in a Lego spell..." Favorite Activity: "Watch a movie every day." "I like smiley faces. I don't like mean faces." What I want to learn this year: "I hope I'm going to learn about puppies" and "Science and I hope I'm going to be in LE1" and "Art with Mama!" Friends you're looking forward to seeing: Leo and Daddy- "I still love you buy you're not my friend friend." - Collin and Ella K. "And my girlfriend Tara." When I Grow Up I want to be: "Baby Groot...with Groot Power!" (you also have been talking about being a "Marine Biologist" and "Sonic the Hedgehog" and "Sonic the Hedgehog police officer.") What I will do when I grow up: "Get flies and eat them."
Joining you guys for a first day of school is your NEW art teacher: Miss Holly!
That's right, Mama is a new full time art teacher at your amazing school. She is such a good mama and a fantastic teacher; I know two of her students who have already given her rave reviews!
We are so proud of both of you! There will be challenges ahead, there will be successes and set backs, and tears and laughter, and lunches and late nights, and friends and fun. It will be an amazing school year for both of you. You walked into school with your spirits high and your heads held high.
You are amazing young people and have learned so much already. We are so excited to be on this journey with you!
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