Goodbye fourth grade

This is the last week of school. For two glorious months, my twin sons will enjoy a summer break before beginning the final year of their elementary career.

Fifth grade, here we come.

I cannot believe I’m old enough to have children going into fifth grade. Oh who am I kidding? The other day I discovered a run in my pantyhose and I wasn’t even wearing any.

This year has been one of exciting challenges; fourth grade kicks it up a notch and requires more study and concentration. My sons continue to rely on each other for support and camaraderie, but their friends are becoming more and more important in their lives. They love sleepovers with Nana and Grandpa, movie nights, and shooting hoops with their father, but solitary time spent reading and writing has some appeal as well.

They are exerting more independence, expressing more opinions, and developing more personality. They are becoming pre-teens.

What the hell is happening?

As is often the case with milestones throughout the years, this blog has allowed me to look back and sigh –

In 2005, my babies were leaving preschool and, if you listen closely, you can still hear my heart breaking.

In 2006, they graduated from kindergarten and I got more comfortable with the idea that my kids were getting older.

In 2007, we were leaving the comforts of Tampa to brave the wilds of Colorado. Looking back was hard.

In 2008, I didn’t write an update because, after a traumatic year in Colorado Springs, looking back was impossible.

In 2009, finishing up the third grade in a private Jewish school, and with Husband’s permanent return to Florida, I felt a welcome relief wash over me. This lasted two days into summer break when my children’s complaints about “nothing to do” got louder than my dad’s CSI marathons.

Now we are about to have another fun summer, filled with more changes I’m sure, and a leap into the last year of elementary school.

Who are my children now as ten year-olds? They are, in a word, remarkable.

My oldest is thoughtful and considerate. He will sometimes complain like a ninety year-old Jewish man and look up at the sky when I ask him to brush and floss, as if asking God for the strength to carry on. He has the best laugh ever and can throw a spiral better than anyone else on the football field. Oldest still does everything quickly, we have to ask him to slow down when eating, talking, and completing homework assignments. But his hugs, thankfully, last for days. He likes hockey, classic rock-n-roll, and homemade pizza. He is not crazy about fish or pbj’s. He never wears pajamas. He gets up very early for snuggle time and still asks me to “send Dad in” after nightly prayers and talk sessions. I drive the kid crazy every time I ask him to stop walking on his tip-toes, mumbling and hunching his shoulders. But sometimes I’ll catch him biting his lower lip and thinking and then I melt when he finally smiles.

My youngest is sweet and sensitive, but also enjoys a good argument. He loves to talk about his day and ask advice from the “best parents on planet Earth.” He likes hockey, flag football, and homemade veggie subs. He is learning to compromise, but still complains out loud, in his room, with the door closed, when electronics’ time has ended. His smile can brighten up the darkest day and I love his growing mop of curly brown hair. A terrific sense of style combined with the ability to dance up a storm makes me worry about the girls and their attention in a few more years. I’m relieved that right now he finds them annoying. I love that he has his daddy’s eyes and feet and sense of humor. Youngest’s honesty and sincerity are my favorite qualities, as well as his sincere desire to understand everything. Plus he still sleeps with his teddy bear.

I am proud of my boys and all they have accomplished so far. I can’t wait to see what’s next. I just hope the fun lasts for more than two days into summer break. What are the odds?