Who told Liam he was allowed to grow up?

For almost 9 years Liam was my baby. He still is, he just doesn't know it. Nor would he want to be thought of as a momma's boy. But no matter what he will always be my only baby boy.

Tonight my baby boy had a Grade 6 farewell at his school. Next year, they are off to Grade 7 and the world of junior high with all that that entails...soccer teams, options and a bus ride to the other side of the city. (Apparently, I'm still not over that.)

The majority of his friends from his Academic Support class will go to the same school as Liam next year as they continue on with this program. Only one of his friends is moving into the regular program and I know Liam will miss him, but I hope they will see each other out of school.

The school had a farewell dinner and a small ceremony for them in which they received a fancy dancy pen (not really) and a cross on a silver stone. There was a slideshow of pictures and I hinted to another mother that perhaps the students should each receive a copy. She suggested it to one of the teachers who said yes, they could do that. It never hurts to ask. Or to get someone else to do it for you.

I'm not sure what has happened over the course of this school year. In September he could still fit into a size 8 pair of jeans. By Christmas size 10 no longer fit. This week I noticed that all the brand new size 12s he has are almost at his ankle. Damnation. The child is growing faster than we are making money. He's still quite skinny, so thankfully we can get away with size 10 shorts this summer! He is coming along with his reading and is still the top Grade 6 math student, even amongst the kids in the regular program. His confidence this spring has been amazing. He is a great big brother. Now, if I could just get him to keep his room clean for more than a day I would declare him the world's most perfect 12 year old boy.


Liam, with 2 of his classmates, Sasha and Josef. Joey is the one going to a different school next year.


We were asked to provide the school with a baby picture, a picture from kindergarten and their Grade 6 picture. They made this photo out of them. If you click on this photo you can see what a cutie he was as a baby.


This is a picture from the slideshow. Minus the little circle of dirt on his face, he looks quite handsome here, I think.


Liam and his teacher. I had really hoped to get a better picture, but damn it if one the dads didn't keep her talking after the event.


Josh, Joey and Liam outside the school. Now that he is no longer going to be there, I am not bothered about posting a picture with the school name on it. Feel free to stalk away, stalkery types.

Tomorrow is Liam's last day of classes. Wednesday morning the Grade 6 classes go camping (where they will canoe, rock climb, zipline and learn archery) and they arrive back at noon on Thursday which is the official dismissal for summer holidays.

Oh, summer holidays...how fondly I remember those days of sleeping in, hanging with friends all day, riding bikes and discovering new places or even just lazing about. Those really were the days. Must remind my children of that when they start complaining about being bored!