School Patrol

I have been meaning to blog this for quite some time, just haven't made the time. But I have to do it, because it is so cool. When we moved the girls to Cherryview, Bella found out that 5th graders can do a lot of things. She signed up to do video taped school announcements that everyone watches each morning on the TV's in their classrooms. She plays the trumpet in band. She takes her turn running the school store.

But she just couldn't wait to be on the School Patrol. Honestly, it scared me a bit, there is a major intersection that the kids run, but they do it exceptionally well. I have always been impressed with the school and this team of kids. So she signed up right away, for all of it.

On a whim, I asked the director this year if she would consider letting Anthony be on patrol, with a buddy or something. I thought it would be a great opportunity for him to be responsible and give him a sense of pride. Bless little Bella, she volunteered right away to be his buddy, and the teacher thought it was a great idea!

So, here is a shot of his first day along with little sister. He has been at this same post each time he does it, and other kids are working with him too. I used to help during training, but now he is totally on his own, he know what he is to do, and he does it well. Bella even goes to that big intersection. And boy is she proud when she does it too. The really cool thing I never expected to happen is all of the social skills it would provide for Anthony. Most of the time a huge portion of the kids are high-fiving him as they walk by and saying hello or goodbye to him. He has opened up so much more and it has helped him huge in the department of greeting people. He beams. (And I usually get watery eyes.) We are soooo proud of them both!

He is also a boy sick of his mother taking his picture at times. This is one of those times. Camera came up, and he shot a look the other direction. Oh well.

The other big boy thing he does: he does NOT want me to walk him in to school anymore. He jumps out, holds up his hand for me to stay, and says "I got this mom".

I still get teary eyed over it.

I guess it catches me off guard.

I think I forget that even though he is not like other kids in so many ways, that in some very real ways - he IS just like them. He wants to be independent and responsible too.

I guess, like other moms, letting go is part of deal. It's hard, it sneaks up on you, and it makes you very aware of the "moment". As he runs off to school, I am left there in the car watching. And in that moment, in my mind, I try to catch up to him. The image of him as a little boy begins to change, it has to grow up too. Because he is.

With the right attitude, letting go can be very exciting. It symbolizes so much more for him. It means he is becoming. No matter how long it has taken him to learn the things he has, he has done it. And now he is making his path. The milestones we worked for have come, and boy did he WORK for them. Now, he is taking those skills, adding to them, and moving forward to the person he is meant to be. The bike riding, tag playing, football watching, lego building, patroling, and church going kid. And you know - I think he's "got this".