School's Out For Summer

I've been a little weepy all day today. Patrick had his last day or preschool. He's officially off to kindergarten in the fall and I don't think I am ready. A few weeks ago Tom signed him up for AYSO soccer which resulted in me bursting out in tears. How is my little baby old enough to play soccer and be sent off to school every day? A school where he won't be singing and riding bikes and playing with play-doh, but instead will be learning reading, writing and arithmetic. A school where circle time will be mandatory, and not just suggested. A school where someone else will judge his work and rank him against his peers. It all makes me so sad. It's so grown up. And he's my baby.

Patrick's class had a little party today. His teachers told me they would be sad to see him go, that they enjoy having him in their class. He'll be around this summer for camp, but it isn't quite the same. Patrick's favorite teacher will be leaving a few weeks into the summer, to pursue her dreams (she's going to grad school). It's an amazing opportunity for her and we're thrilled for her. But there's a part of me inside that is sad because Molly will never have her as a teacher. Which brings me back to weepy...

I'm not sure it has all sunk in for Patrick yet. I don't think he understands that he isn't going to see all of his friends next year in kindergarten. That he will have a new routine, new teachers, new friends, a new school. Hopefully he will have happy memories of his time in preschool.