dianaschnuth

Dear Connor,

Now that you’re old enough to read, I’ve let you read some of the Dear Connor blog entries I wrote when you were younger, for you to read later on. This one, I’m writing for you to read now.

First, I want to let you know that I am SO PROUD of the boy you’re becoming. Sure, I’m proud that you’re a strong reader, and better at math than I was at your age, but I’m more proud that you care about others. Seven-year-olds tend to think only of themselves sometimes, and that’s OK. You have plenty of moments, though, where you do something because you know it will make someone else happy (or, at least, less angry). I love those moments, and I think they’re awesome. I think YOU’RE awesome.

You know what else is awesome? Sometimes, you make your bed in the morning without even being asked, now that you have a fancy new Pokemon comforter that you got for your birthday. I guess wanting to make your bed LOOK nice is a big part of wanting to make your bed.

Things change slowly but surely around here. Dad and I get used to the way life works for a while, then something changes — whether it’s summer day camp, later school start times, Dad having to leave early for work, or you deciding to read on your own before you go to sleep. Everyone gets used to the change eventually, but it’s weird at first.

Right now, we’re still kind of getting used to getting up before the sun to take you to Extended Time before school. Since your bus doesn’t come until half an hour after I’m supposed to be at work, and your school doesn’t start until half an hour after that, I’m afraid we’re going to have to get used to this. It’s going to be like this for the next few school years, unless your elementary school changes their start time (which is doubtful).

I just really hope you can start shifting your sleep schedule so that you get enough rest. Right now, you read by lamplight for a half hour or so, then you find reasons to get up. Sometimes you need a foot massage or some Tylenol, and sometimes you need a different stuffed animal to snuggle (or play) with. I think you’d be able to pay attention better during the day if you were better rested, though. You’d also be easier to get up at 6:15am.

When I write these Dear Connor entries, I usually go through the major events since your last birthday or half-birthday. So, what happened between 6½ and seven?

We went on our first family vacation! You took your first airplane ride, used your passport for the first time, and really enjoyed yourself. (It was way back at the end of March, but I still haven’t finished uploading all the pictures and writing reviews of the hotel and the water park online. I should get on that.)

You got hit in the eye with a locker at summer camp and scratched your eyeball, and we left your first fireworks before they even started because your eye hurt so bad.

You started first grade!

There’s a running joke with my co-worker that she’s connected somehow to practically everyone in Toledo. Your teacher is no exception: my co-worker used to work with your teacher’s dad! It’s kind of funny, bus also kind of sad, too, because he died. That’s why I haven’t mentioned it to your teacher yet.

Anyway, your teacher has started challenging you a bit more at school, which is helping you stay focused on your work. You can already read all the sight words she’s teaching the class, and you can spell all the spelling words, so you get super bored and distracted. (I was bored a lot in school, too, so I totally understand.)

We had your seventh birthday party at the park, and invited several of your friends. It was your first “friend” party, with friends from summer camp and school and your YMCA swim class — and Harper, of course. Uncle Matt and Cousin Nate and Grammy and Jim came, too. We played Pin the Mustache on the Dad and had pizza and kitty cat cupcakes and played on the playground and it was a really good time.

We went to your well-child visit at the pediatrician yesterday, and learned that you’ve grown two whole inches in the past year! You’re now 4 feet 3 inches tall — that’s taller than most 7-year-olds. You were SO BRAVE for your flu shot, too. I told you about how I usually look the other way when I’m getting my flu shot, so you did the same thing and it worked out great.

I know things are hard sometimes. Sometimes it’s hard to focus, and sometimes it’s hard to control your emotions. I get it. I’m super proud of you for trying new things, and I hope you keep being brave and adventurous.

I love you, buddy.