Preschool Graduation Wisdom

Here's our boy, all grown up! He graduated from preschool yesterday! Starting kindergarten this fall at Northpoint. Then for 1st grade he will go with Noah to Sejong Academy, the Korean immersion school opening in Minneapolis in 2012.

Cole learned a lot this year but he taught us a lot too. Here is a list of the top 10 things that made him happy in preschool:

1. Say the word "beautiful" often.
2. Notice the colors of the "beautiful" sunrise ("blue, violet, pinkish")
3. Paint "one pretty place." Include a rainbow, flowers, and a butterfly (especially in the winter when we don't see those things).
4. Make lots of lists. (flowers to plant, things to do, recipes to make, etc.)
5. Make food fun. Cut shapes out of fruit and dip in chocolate.
6. Make "surprises" for those you love (cakes, pictures, clean rooms)
7. Keep a journal.
8. Learn something new. (riding bike without training wheels, tae kwon do)
9. Be prepared and keep band-aids and first aid cream in your backpack.
10. Turn your owie into a badge of honor. Cole got a scratch on his forehead and thought it looked "cool" "like Harry Potter".


Little Boy Wisdom #70: Life is short, enjoy each day and make it fun for you and those you love.

Love is almost all you need...

The magical date when we could plant our garden seeds was fast approaching so Cole and I planned ahead. He said, “Plants need sun and rain and dirt and that’s it!” I added that they also need love. He smiled a funny lop-sided smile. I defended my position, “No really! You need to talk to them and show them you care by watering them every day.” So on Sunday, May 15th, one of the first nice days of spring, Noah woke up at 6:43 am and ran downstairs…”Mama!! Today’s the day! Let’s get out there and plant our garden!” He’s always been that way. Recently he said, “It’s a lovely day, why should we waste one minute.” I asked for just a few more minutes of sleep. Poor Noah did not come back however. Turned out he had the stomach flu and he would have to wait. Still Cole and I rushed out just after breakfast. He said, “I can’t believe this day is finally here! We waited all winter!” Noah sat on a lawn chair nearby with a heating pad on his tummy. He just couldn’t stay inside. His Daddy worked hard to turn the soil again and again so it would be ready for Noah to plant his carefully chosen seeds. Later in the day, he was able to plant his side of the garden as well, complete with marigolds staging the entrance to keep the bunnies from being tempted. At bedtime, when the sun was just beginning to set, Cole looked out his window at the golden light over the garden and said, in a voice just above a whisper, “Grow my beautiful garden, grow…” I guess he believed me above that love part. ☺ Little Boy Wisdom #69: Believe in the power of love to help us grow.