This whole year has been a series of lasts.  The last Christmas concert.  The last Grand Day.  The last conference.  The last day of school was a rainy day.  That was good, because I had trouble all month keep tears back.

The real sadness set in at Bren’s conference.  Seniors who are getting ready to move on lead their own conference.  They demonstrate a work, invite teachers and parents to share memories and walk through their portfolio of three years of work.  As soon as Brendan’s teachers started talking about him the tears started.

The spoke of him with such a genuine love for who he is.  They shared all the great things they love about him- the same things we love.  Chris and I loved hearing their stories too- how Bren loves to read to the morning children before they leave, how he loves the conversation mat but it helps a bilingual friend with English, how he can make up games and stories to play with friends, how he can be a peacemaker, how he knew the method of the job chart and everyone’s job (and loved Mondays because you change jobs then), how he loves to write about fairies, how he convinced a friend to get on stage for their final performance by sharing how he gets over nervousness (think of something you love and pretend you are there).

One teacher shared on a recent day that seemed chaotic she said aloud to Brendan it was a crazy day.  Bren responded, “Don’t worry, the children have the classroom under control.”  Such a Montessori kid.

Their report and in their conference they said they would miss him.  We certainly will miss them.  It was the best experience for Brendan and all the things we hoped he would experience there he did- an opportunity to be a leader, a peacemaker and a lover of learning.

There is so much more I feel I should say about the wonderful experience we had with both kids at Walnut Park.  It is something I am going to think about more this summer and will post about in the future.  I know that as first grade begins in the fall, all the things Bren learned will lead right to an appreciation for Walnut Park and the Room 2 teachers.

Brendan’s First Day at Walnut Park (age 3) and Last Day (almost 6)