Keaten,
This past year has been interesting to say the least. Time has flown by. You've gone through many changes and new challenges and it has been wonderful to see you progress through them all.
We started the year with you turning four, FOUR! It seems like it was just a week ago we were bringing you home, but instead four years have swiftly gone by. As you have grown older, the changes in you have become more pronounced. You are becoming more independent, dressing and undressing yourself, you are beginning to make your own breakfast, putting your clothes away, and really just about anything else you can reach with your own two hands.
Your smile and your smirk are always a moment away as you show off your character and orneriness. The four year old attitude is something I look forward to disappearing. I had completely forgotten about that year when it was Brianne's turn, and that was just two years ago! The "I know all", "I can do it", and "I want it done my way" is very clear and very present in you this year. But throughout it all, I still very much enjoy each day I got to see you and see your mind work. It is fun watching you think over your options, potential answers, or what action you plan to take when asked a question or told to do something. We can see your thoughts through your eyes and facial expressions and at times it is quite hilarious, and other times we simply are pondering if you plan to do the right thing, or possibly your own thing.
Keaten you have a wonderful playful attitude. It makes me happy when we get to sit down and build a train track, a car ramp, a parking garage, towers using blocks or legos, buildings out of lincoln logs, or anything else your mind has drawn up within it. The numerous times where you get frustrated and go grab a piece of construction paper to draw the "correct" plans out on paper for us to follow is absolutely memories I'll never forget. Those memories will always bring a smile and chuckle each time I think about them. You are very creative and I don't want you to ever stop being creative. This world needs creativity, dreams of grandeur, and finding ways to nurture that within you will be part of my mission next year. I want you to be able to express yourself in ways that are fun and inviting to you. I believe we can tap into that using your creativity.
The summer was filled with all sorts of fun activities, from the Wilds, Red, White and Boom, swimming, visiting Papa and Grandma in Tennessee, and so much more! It was a blast watching your eyes light up during Red, White and Boom and the expression of awe you had as the fireworks exploded and lit up the sky. The smile you had while playing in the pool throughout the summer and in the river when we were in Tennessee was priceless. Then when you started to ride your "big boy" bike with its training wheels instead of the tricycle, your Mom and I just stared in disbelief at how much you had grown from the year before.
Summer was just a blur for you, and your last as a stay at home child, as the end of summer close to fall, Pre-K was waiting for you. It may only be 3 days a week, but they were 3 long days. I recall your orientation, and your very first day. As you shyly walked into class and the smile you had when you came out. You were truly happy and you've made several friends. Although you do not like to admit it, you have learned a lot and you hide the information you know very well. The number of times your Mom and I fret over whether you know your letters or numbers is overwhelmingly stressful, but deep down, we're fairly certain you do. You simply refuse to acknowledge and portray exactly how much you know. I wonder if this is a confidence issue or just part of your personality. Either way, I'd like to see you show off, just a little bit, exactly how smart you are.
You are very attentive. It amazed your Mother and I at the Christmas gifts you choose to give your teachers. In fact, I'd argue they were not the typical gifts most students would likely have given their teachers. You had made observations about the two of them from the time you spent in class with them. You made sure that the gifts they received were personal and fitting to them individually. I love this characteristic. Your attentive nature will serve you well and I look forward to seeing how it matures and grows in the upcoming years.
You also care, not just for yourself, but others as well. This first year of schooling for you has brought out a lot of personality and characteristics that we really love. The number of times you fret over a classmate not being at school because they were sick was very endearing. In addition, the few times where you couldn't go to school because you were sick and you worried about your classmates missing you, was funny and cute, if not heart-breaking to watch you put yourself through such turmoil.
Let us not forget about your stories. Oh, how you are a wonderful story teller. From the days activities, to the list of things Brooklynne (a fellow classmate) needs you to complete, to jokes and everything in-between. Your stories are always good for a laugh and a smile. You have such enthusiasm, dramatic poises, and shrills of excitement that even the harshest critic would give you a standing ovation.
Next year, I really want to see you become more confident. You are smart, you are capable, and if you put your mind to it, anything is possible. We need to break the habit of, "I can't", and instead use "I can". Your Mom and I will do our parts to encourage you to believe in you. As we know what you are capable of and we see great things in you.
Love,
Mommy and Daddy
