Moving Up and On

Where has the year gone?  We are really cannot believe that we now officially have a 1'st grader!!!  
Emotional is a pretty accurate word to describe it all.  We had the opportunity to write Reece a letter which we will hopefully save (and then find again) at his high school graduation and of course a thank you card to his wonderful teacher Ms. Stachura. I guess when anything comes to an end naturally we reflect back on the experience and writing the letters certainly helped.  My initial thought in the first week or so of school was wondering if Reece would ever adjust or if the tears would stop.  Little did we imagine how incredibly he would adjust and grow.  It is really one of the most incredible things to date we have experienced with Reece, watching your child learn to read.  The pride and excitement on his face when he reads a new book or progresses to a new level, is nothing sort of amazing.  Reading only scratches the surface of his growth this year.  
So we are moving up and on which is where all the emotion comes.  While we know he is ready and excited, it is hard to leave somewhere we have become so comfortable.  We have built a relationship with Ms. Stachura, her knowing us and Reece so well.  She certainly set the bar quite high for what we expect out of Reece's teachers.  Then throw in the dynamic of a new baby,  a sibling.  Are we ready but more importantly is Reece ready?  Gregg and I have been spending a lot of time talking with each other and also talking with Reece about  this new transition.  While we know it is perfectly natural to be emotional, scared, and excited about starting something new, comfort certainly comes from the expected.  Clearly this school year has been exactly what we needed as a family.  We hope our new journeys prove to be as successful as Reece's kindergarten experience!  
One thing for is for certain we are looking forward to the next five in a half weeks before Baby Matthews arrives enjoying the lake!!  But we are also much more ready for the excitement of the unexpected.

 Reece and his best buddies - Aidan and Jack

One proud Dad!!