The End of a Beginning

James has been attending "school" with his wonderful teacher, our cousin, Mrs. Beverly for almost 2 school years. He started in September before his 3rd birthday and has loved Mrs. Beverly, his friends and all of it from the very first day he went. He looked forward to each Wednesday bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and anytime he was sick or school was canceled he was heart-broken. Beverly called and let us know at the end of February she would be moving and the following Wednesday, March 2nd, would be the last day of her "Bee's Hive" preschool. Although I was expecting it, James cried for an hour and I held him and comforted him more than I usually would. He whines often so I'm usually telling him to shake-it-off or just a little hug and move on to something else. This wasn't fake crying or whining though. These were genuine crocodile tears of sadness missing Mrs. Beverly and Mrs. Kim and his friends. I just reassured him we would still see them. It's a big change for our little boy and Mrs. Beverly's school is all he remembers. I don't think he still has memory of not going to school at all. So, I spent most of the last day at school with him taking pictures to help him always remember this treasured place of his childhood. Thanks be to Mrs. Beverly and Mrs. Kim for enriching our children's lives with so much love.

FIRST DAY OF PRESCHOOL - September 9, 2009



He was ready to leave Mom to go to school without any hesitation at all. His wonderful teacher, Beverly Menges.




LAST DAY OF MRS. BEVERLY'S PRESCHOOL - March 2, 2011


Eli (from back), James, Colton and Kaitlin




James said the mommy snake was eating the baby or the other way around. Either way, it didn't sound good. Sometimes he worries me.




Mrs. Beverly, Colton, Karly, Kaitlin, Eli and James (head) in the playroom




James & Colton - his friend when he wants to dance and laugh. The many expressions of James are shown as he plays cars with one of his best buddies.








Cally, Colton, Ian and James
James was telling me about the planets since they had been learning about the solar system all month. He's really enjoyed it and sounds like he knows more than I ever remembered about the planets. He especially likes to talk about Saturn, Mercury and Venus (he's says they get cooked by the sun), and Jupiter with it's big eye storm.



James, Mrs. Beverly (in the back), Cally and Colton - the table where James and his friends did their work to bring home and show us each school day.




Jade loved being at school too. She would have stayed all day if I let her. I don't ever remember her seeing a crown before, but as soon as she saw that one she knew where it belonged. I had just asked her "Where's the baby?"




All the kids were so happy they got to play outside since we have warm weather again.

Jackson, Karly, James, Ian and Colton



James loves Mrs. Beverly's dog Berkley. She's told me they've always gotten along well.




Last (but definitely not least) is Axle and James. Axle is James' friend "when everything is new and strange." Although Axle is in kindergarten now, James is thrilled to see Axle get off the bus at Mrs. Beverly's at the end of school (she's Axle's grandma). Our little boy has sure grown up a lot in a year and a half.



For some reason, this picture reminds me of a song I learned from my great grandmother as she'd swing us on her front porch. It goes something like this:

Oh, the sports of childhood,
Roaming through the wildwood,
Running through the meadow,
Happy and gay.

Childhood pastimes fleeting,
For the old time greeting,
Swinging beneath the old apple tree.

I think some of my cousins would remember the words better, but the important part is the feeling. I'm quite sentimental, but I do hope James will always cherish the memories of his feelings there. He starts at a new Mother's Day Out preschool soon so he'll have more friends to make and new adventures to pursue. Lots to look forward to!