So Proud of This Kid

Two years ago, about this time of the year, in fact, Eddy and I thought long and hard about sending Isaac to kindergarten as a just-turned-5 year old, or wait until he was 6. We decided to have him go to preK as a 5 year old and "red shirt" him until he was 6 for Kindergarten. It was a really hard decision and we didn't make it lightly. We knew there would be pluses and minuses either way. But in the end, we have been really happy we waited. Secretly though, I've been waiting for him to realize that he is likely one of, or THE oldest, kid in his class. That reality happened on Friday. As I picked up the kids from daycare and was buckling Piper in her seat, Isaac said, "Mom, K (his best friend at school) said that since I'm 6 1/2, I should be in first grade. But I told him 'everyone's different'". I was so proud of him, I almost cried. But not wanting to make it into a big deal, I shut Piper's door and got into the car. When I got in, I simply said, "You're absolutely right, Isaac. Someone in your class has to be the oldest, and someone has to be the youngest. You just might be the oldest". And that was the end of it. But now, as I'm typing, tears well up in my eyes. For two reasons. First and foremost, I'm so proud of his response to his friend. I don't think his friend was being mean; maybe just figuring out how kids are different. But I also cry because although I am confident in our decision, I don't want him to be teased or grow up thinking we "held him back" because he wasn't ready. I hope that when the topic comes up again (I am sure it will), he will understand that we waited because we wanted to give him the best possible start to his education.
Isaac also brought home his 3rd quarter report card. As and Bs would be a LOT easier to understand than the system that is used, but I can see that he is progressing as he should be. We can definitely see he has my mentality of "I don't want to do it (whatever "it" is at the time) unless I'm going to be good at it", which is extremely frustrating! But, his ability to sound out words and not quit has greatly improved. I am so grateful for our educators--I would have NO IDEA where to begin in teaching Isaac how to read, add, recognize shapes, understand sequences, etc.
We have one AWESOME kid and I am so proud of him.