Dear Miles,

Summer break is almost over, and I was just thinking about what a big summer it’s been for you.  You’ve made huge progress in two of the biggest challenges in a kid’s life:  swimming and bike-riding.  We went to the public pool the other night, and at first you didn’t want to leave the baby pool.  That got a little awkward, since you were clearly the biggest kid in there, and you had to sink down to your belly to get any kind of water coverage.  Finally we convinced you to hit the big pool, and once you got used to it, you took off like an eel.  You were swimming with your head underwater, making real distance as you kicked and moved your arms.  I’d always found it annoying that our municipal pools don’t allow water wings, but this time it worked out well.  You swam so much with the help of the water wings while we were in Nashville that you got absolutely comfortable in the water, and then when you found yourself unencumbered, you took off.  You’d done similar things before at your swimming lessons, but this was the first time I’d seen you do 100% legit swimming.  Nice work, kid.

Your biking is going just as well.  You can zoom long distances down the path, doing full 180-degree turns, managing the sidewalk as well as the grass.  I’m so proud that you faced your fears, took some risks, and saw rewards this summer.  You’ve done the same thing with piano.  You tried your most challenging musical piece to date:  the Super Mario Brothers theme song.  You’ve been at it for the whole summer, doing small chunks at a time, sometimes frustrated to tears but always willing to get back to it (after a break).  You’re going to have the whole song in your repertoire before the summer is out, I know it.

You’ve had some fun adventures this summer, the biggest of which was our trip to Nashville.  You were a trooper in the car, definitely the least stressful person in the back seat.  It helps so much that not only can you read, you love to read.  We checked out a big stack of library books, borrowed a bunch of Calvin and Hobbes collections from Uncle Mark, and got some audiobooks on CD.  You handled it just great.  Calvin and Hobbes is a big interest for you right now.  I’m happy you’re excited about it, and I love hearing you laugh as you read quietly in your room.  However, it gets a little exhausting feigning fascination when you want to recount yet another Calvin and Hobbes plotline to me.  You yell “Mom!” like your hair is on fire, and when I rush to find out what you need, you invariably say, “In Calvin and Hobbes…”  I sigh and stand there as long as I can handle, smiling and nodding.  I reiterate:  I’m thrilled that you love to read.  I’m thrilled that Calvin and Hobbes has captured your attention, because that’s good stuff.  So I will smile and nod some more.

In Nashville, you had a blast in the pool (of course) and playing with cousin Aleks.  You also enjoyed the science museum, the zoo (even when the tortoises got a little aggressive for your taste), the splash pad, and Antique Archaeology.

Antique Archaeology is a store run by the people on the show American Pickers, the partner store to their shop in Iowa.  You and your dad like to watch the show together, so it was pretty fun and special for to go to the Nashville location.  You even got a t-shirt that displayed the Iowa/Nashville connection.  You didn’t buy any antiques.

You’ve had fun with friends this summer, at birthday parties and playdates.  You’ve spent a lot of time playing with your brothers, most of the time really nicely. We just spent the weekend with your dad’s side of the family, and you handled interactions with a variety of people mostly well.  That’s an area where you need to grow—flexibility, adaptability to different people, and adjusting to situations outside your comfort zone.  I think you’re making progress.

It will be good for you to get back to school, though.  You are ready for new challenges, even if it means getting up early.  We’ve got your back-to-school night coming up, when you’ll find out who your teacher is and visit your new classroom.  Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m going to be able to go to that, since Tobin’s is a the same time in a different place, and your dad and I are going to have to divide and conquer to manage that night’s commitments.  But I’m not worried about you.  You’re an old pro at Lucas Elementary now, and your second grade year is going to be great.  I’ve heard good things about all the teachers, so no matter whom you get, I know you’ll have an excellent year.  If it’s anything like this summer, you have a lot of learning and growth ahead of you.  I’m looking forward to seeing what the year brings.

Love,

Mommy