Uncles

Eric and Fred came up for a helping visit in August -- and lived to tell the story. The Marshall-Krumm house wasn't in best form: we were all sleep-deprived and nervous and grumpy and squabbly. And yet they hung in there with us: researching random questions about sleep and feedings, taking Tristen on adventures downtown, reading chapter after chapter and comic book after comic book to Tristen, and leaving us with orzo salad aplenty.

Thank you is not enough.

What would Dr. Sears do? Fred finds out.

 

Best story reader ever.

 
 
 
 

Uncles.

 
 

Sunday in Ballard

The weather here has been warm and sunny for weeks; it has been GREAT. Last weekend we went to the bumpin' Ballard Farmers' Market. On the way back to the car, we hit Cafe Fiore. We all needed a respite from the crowded market streets, and Tillie wanted to nurse.

Kindergarten!

Well, it's official. He started kindergarten.

Tristen walked into his room at Thornton Creek and found his chair by the paperboard hand he'd decorated at the meet-and-greet the day before. He'd made it a diagram of metacarpals, carpals, and phalanges -- riffing on some curriculum Hakim had been directing at Interlake. He sat down briefly, then crossed the room to sign his name on a white board that asked, "How are you feeling?" and offered several categories. Tristen wrote his name in the column that read, "Happy, Excited, Good."

Chris and I definitely teared up when saying goodbye. He was just SOOO sweet in hugging us -- and then so independent in taking a seat on the rug for circle time.

Leaving the room, we were half-crying, half-laughing at ourselves when we ran into all-smiles Gep, with Liam. It was just great to see them and know we're in this together. When Emily caught up, we all went down to the cafeteria for a "kiss and cry" social hour.

At pickup, Tristen gave us only a few hints about how his first day went -- and we had to pump him for this!

• I loved it!
• I loved my teacher!
• We had recess THREE times!
• You put Frutabu in my lunch!
• I saw Drew at lunch. I tried to talk to him but he already had a best friend.
• I only made one best friend. I can't remember his name.

Emerging a kindergartener!

Backpack? Check. Lunchbox? Check.

Tristen mingles in his room.

We found Gep, Liam, and Emily wandering the halls. They were dropping Elana off.

Seven weeks

More summer in Seattle

Chris and Gep took Tristen, Elana, Liam, and Ruby on a three-mile round-trip hike in St. Edwards State Park. The mid-way point meant swimming in the lake and picking blackberries.

So grown up

Just a few days before starting kindergarten -- and already shaving.

Tristen's happy last day

For Tristen's happy last day at Interlake, he insisted on wearing the soft butterfly shirt that has been one of his favorites since he was in the toddler room.

I joined him in the afternoon for snack. We brought Tofuti Cuties, and the kids ate them outside. Most of Tristen's best friends had already had their happy last days, so teacher Hakim stepped up with a message. He told Tristen to have fun in kindergarten and to learn lots of new paper airplanes. He also told Tristen that he loved him, had enjoyed getting to know him, and knew he was going to be a great kindergartner. A couple of other kids said thank you for bringing the snacks.

When we left, Tristen did his on-the-way-out-the-door visit with director Carol. He played with the toys in her office, and she let him have a large rubber ball he's always coveted. It was very sweet. She also chased him out of her office -- and as usual didn't quite catch him.

As we pulled away from Interlake, Tristen declared, "I'm sad." Then he was quiet a while, sighed heavily, and said, "I'll never play on those monkey bars again."

Tristen on the morning of his happy last day at Interlake.

The kids await their Tofuti Cuties.

Teacher Hakim gives Tristen a message as teachers Ari and Jay Jay look on.