Last day of camp

Dear Liam,
Today is your last day of summer camp at the Y. You have had such a great time, and I know you can't wait to go back again next summer. You also started swimming lessons again this week, and you have made SOOOOO much improvement! I am simply amazed by how well you were swimming yesterday, on only your third day of lessons! You're already saying that you want to take lessons again during the next session.

Only a week and a half until school starts, on Monday, August 3. This is just so crazy to me! A week from tomorrow we will go to school to find out who your teacher will be, and meet her and see the classroom. I don't know how in the world time has flown so fast- you can't possibly be a first grader! We've bought all your school supplies, a new lunchbox, and a few new shirts. You are totally ready. Although I know that you're sad that camp is ending, I know that you're excited to get back to school, too. I think you're worried about who will be in your class, since we won't find that out until next Friday, but I know you'll be just fine. It's basically a guarantee that some of your friends from last year's class will be with you again, and also some of your new friends that you made this summer at camp.

Yesterday, when I picked you up from camp, you were crying. The other children were being reprimanded for being mean to you. Apparently, two of your good friends had ganged up on you, to get you "out" in a game. You had gotten very worked up over being "out," and then they made fun of you for it. You were just sobbing, and doing your nervous things (pulling on your shirt, trying to chew on the drawstring from your shorts). They gave you hugs, and then as you walked towards me, you started sucking your thumb. Oh, my sweet boy. You are so sweet and emotional, and so easily wounded emotionally. It breaks my heart to see you so sad. I told you to remember how that made you feel, and hopefully you won't be mean to other people since you wouldn't want them to ever have to feel like that.

I love you so much, sweetheart.

Love,
Mommy

Camp!

Dear Liam,
You are LOVING day camp at the Y this summer! You were worried about it at first, I think because of the fact that you thought they were going to force you to take a swimming test. But, they didn't. You are running and being active and are outside almost all day. You are exhausted at night, and fall asleep within seconds. Lots of other kids from your school are there, which definitely helps you feel safe. I think we will send you there again next summer. It's so convenient (close to home), and just perfect for you.

We've been reading before bed most nights. You're almost done with filling out your stars for the summer reading program. Your reading just keeps improving. Your handwriting is another story. You are still making some of your letters and numbers backwards, but I know that you'll get them right soon.

I can't believe how quickly this summer is flying by. You really just have June and July off from school. We go to school on Friday, July 31, to meet your teacher and drop off your school supplies, and then you start first grade on Monday, August 3. Crazy. So, you're just at camp still next week, then home with Grandma for a week, then back to camp for a week. The last week before school starts, you'll be at work with me or we'll take some days off. We've gone to the fair that week the last couple years, and I know you always enjoy that, so we'll do that again sometime that week.

School supplies are out in the stores now, so I guess that means school really is starting soon. I can't even believe you're going to be in first grade! A "grader"! My big boy.

I love you.

Love,
Mommy