Friday, May 23, 2008

Graduation

Big Kid: I sure wish I knew Vivi's addwess.
Ashley: Well, we'll have to get it from her.
Big Kid: Yeah, 'cuz school will be ober soon.
Ashley: I know, we'll have to keep in touch with your friends.
Big Kid: Vivi and I are goin' to diffewent schools. I'm gonna miss her. (looks out the window) And she's gonna miss Reese.
Ashley: ...why do you say that? She'll miss you too.
Big Kid: She didn't say dat dough. She dest said she would miss Reese. (so sadly)
Ashley: Oh. Well, she probably just forgot to list your name too.
Big Kid: Yeah, maybe. But pwobably not.

MAN. That little talk has kept me up at night with heartbreak for him. Isn't it insane how the smallest slights or sadnesses of our children just consume us with sadness for them?

I've been sensing this with Vivi. Not choosing Big Kid as her partner, not playing with him at recess, not wanting to sit next to him at lunch. He's been sensing it too, but I think he is realizing that the end of the school year is officially the end of his love affair with Vivi.

I'm pretty sure that Vivi and Reese's moms are friends, so we all know how that goes.

He has definitely picked up on the fact that he's being replaced as a love interest and it's a bummer to say the least. Poor guy.

Today is his last day. He's really proud about his "graduation", but sad about not seeing his friends and nervous about a new school with a new teacher next year. I'm nervous too. Practically sick about it. I feel like I'm institutionalizing him and turning his brilliant, sensitive, creative, sponge of a self over to some "people-making" factory or something.

I know every parent worries, but my kid is SPECIAL.

I know every parent thinks their kid is special, but they are WRONG.

I know he'll be fine, but I don't FEEL like I know that.

We'll live, we'll live.

Ive got to go take a golf club away from little kid before he breaks out the sliding glass doors, and I've got to go get ready for this graduation shindig.

And then, I face The Weekend Alone.

Gulp.

17 comments:

Mrs. Schmitty said...

Doesn't it just break your heart when your child is sad? It will bother me for days...even after they have long forgotten!

Mitch said...

Poor BK! My heart breaks for him too. And I know what you mean about internalizing their pain. My DD (3) was at a 4 year old's birthday party the other day and the 4 yo told her that she was not her friend anymore because she was only 3. DD immediately burst into tears! Broke my heart I tell ya.

jenn said...

The social stuff is KILLER. My daughter is going into jr. high next year, and she and her BFF since first grade seem to be parting ways. Nothing acrimonious, just diverging interests. (Frankdly, it be easier for me if there was nastiness involved, then I could just tell her to forget the little twerp). She has plenty of other friends, but is so, so sad at this one petering out. I tell you, it's harder to live through this as a mother than it is when you were that age yourself.

Chin up! He's an awesome little dude, and he's going to be a total heartbreaker in kindergarten. He's still got his Emmers, right?

Maddness of Me said...

I feel so bad for him because I get the sense that it affects him more than other little boys.

Robbie Saint-Amond. Broke my heart in the second grade. Never forgot it. He's probably pumping gas today and living with his mom.

Lesson to BK... make them all your bitches kiddo!

Scary Mommy said...

TAG!
I know, it's lame. Don't make me feel worse :P
SORRY!

Googling Goddess said...

It's the worst when some little whore breaks their heart, huh? That happened to my little guy (also very special, unlike all other children), and I talk so much trash on that little diva. Not to her face or in front of my son, but my husband sure gets an earful. Yeah, I'm gonna make a great MIL.

Anonymous said...

So sad.

"I feel like I'm institutionalizing him and turning his brilliant, sensitive, creative, sponge of a self over to some 'people-making' factory or something."

Yes, yes, yes. This is so my fear.

Anonymous said...

kick Vivi's ass...

JUST KIDDING, but seriously, some bitches have the nerve to hurt our sweet little tender hearted boys...

Unknown said...

Oh you poor kid. I really feel so sorry for you. It's hard to be alone, I know. Mr Ashley won't be there and you have to manage 'the kids' all by yourself. But I bet when the weekend is over, you'll look back and say "Hey, that was easier than I thought it would be." and then "I can do this." and then "Mr. Ashley, you just take your time and get it right and don't worry about me and 'the kids'. We'll be just fine." I'll bet.

Anonymous said...

you should send him to a montessori school! he would have the opportunity to learn the way he needs to instead of being held back by the others in the class. we love it.

Jason said...

Best cure for a broken heart is a new love. Find the boy a prettier little girl to hang with and he will forget all about her.

Hey, my kids are special. The oldest is officially a genius according to his government testing and the little one is smarter than he is (hasn't been tested yet). Plus, they are incredible athletes already. The oldest is the best 6 year old in his baseball LEAGUE, better than half the 7 year olds. The youngest seems to be an even more natural athlete than his brother.

AND they both have multiple girls fighting over them at school. Oh, their special. Far superior to yours......

I won't even get into their how their behavior is superior.

Amy said...

Oh poor Big Kid! Vivi isn't very smart.

Unknown said...

Well if your kids are well behaved, Jason, they didn't learn it from their father.

I'm glad to hear it though. I was thinking of asking my future sister wife if we should rescue your wife as well. I haven't met her but I feel for her, living with you and all those opinions.


(little kid is an anomaly. Chuck Norris himself couldn't tame that beast)

Melodie said...

Poor BK! You should get Emmers to go kick Vivi's ass! Just tell her how terribly Vivi treated BK, and she'll be all over it. I'm sure she wouldn't let anyone hurt her BK and get away with it. AND the best part is, you don't have to be the one doing the ass-kicking and risk going to jail over the whole thing.
Or, you could just wait until Vivi turns 18 and then hunt her down and make her pay for hurting BK.

Sasha said...

I feel bad for Big Kid. And also The Politician- who has no idea that his best friend is going to Pre-K elsewhere in the fall.... I haven't had the heart to tell him, plus I don't even know if she knows yet....

sunny-daze said...

Ashley, my youngest is special, too. He is finishing kindergarten in a couple of weeks. At the beginning of the school year I looked his teacher right in the eye and told her not to ruin my son. She didn't know how to take me, but knew I wasn't joking. He'll be okay, he has you and Mr Ashley to keep him great.

so tired said...

Remind BK that he'll always have Emmers.........