The ol' PTC

We had the second and final "official" conference with Jake's preschool teacher Mrs. D. It's funny how scared I was to let him go. He is doing so well, that I feel embarrassed for even having doubts. His classroom is one of those kind of places you always want your kid to be in. Safe, fun, supportive, challenging. It really is the best return we've ever made on any investment.

Here's the catch. Jake was born a little too late in the year. So, he can't enroll in kindergarten at the beginning of next year. We could get him in a private kindergarten for a little while and then he can enroll at Cindy's school. OR he can go to preschool for another year. Ugh. I. Hate. Decisions.

Mrs. D thinks he'll do fine in kindergarten and won't have to repeat it, but it would also be good to repeat pre-school. See, Jake is like his old man when it comes to socializing in large groups right now. He'll do it when he has to, and put on a game face but, he's much better in small groups or even by himself. He's just not a talker in class. Which is exactly the opposite of the way he is everywhere else. If he's with us or especially with Brady, he's in his element and you can't stop him. Take the B man away and he's kind of out of place. But, Mrs. D said he's getting a lot better about that and getting more and more comfortable. Academically, he is above where he needs to be and that's just awesome. He just needs to come out of his shell a little more.

It's like watching myself all over again. At home I felt like "The Man" but at school...no way. I wanted to be with one or two close friends and kind of just hang in the shadows and do my thing. I made some good friends that way, but I missed out on some stuff I'm sure, just for lack of confidence. I remember how anxious I was all through school and it sucked. I am still like that in a lot of ways. You come into my comfort zone and I'm good to go...take me out of it and I need a little time to adjust.

The other upside to another year in preschool is that he will have Brady in class with him. I don't know what it is exactly, but when they are together it is magic. They just riff off one another and the party keeps rolling. Jake shows B how to do stuff, and B keeps Jake going with his crazy ideas and stories. They finish eachother's sentences, the whole nine yards. So, I know having them together in there would be beneficial for the both of them in different ways.

If there's a chance here to make it a little easier for Jake to blossom in Captain Confidence in and out of the house, maybe we should take it. Understanding though, that he is who he is, and we can only try to help him along in the process. The year isn't over yet and he has time yet to show his stuff before we decide what to do. Either way we go, I have supreme confidence in the teachers he has or will have. I'm not just saying that because they are teachers at Cindy's school. They are just super dedicated to performing at the top level of their profession and I give them all the respect in the world.

So, Jake my man...just do what you do. I'm just so darn proud of you. You make my heart happy and full and I can't tell you enough just how much I love you.