Last Day of School

My sentimentality has cost me a lot of sleep over the years.  Even though I'm so excited for the school year to be over, last night I couldn't sleep well, thinking of how sad it is that these kids just keep growing up, and how there's always something ending and something new to adjust to.  Change is coming, and we're all kind of in denial about it.  (Especially Lyndsay.)

This morning I woke up Conor with a Last Day of Kindergarten song.  He's not nearly as emotional about the whole thing as I am.  Finally, after I had gone on and on about how sad it is that he'll never be in kindergarten again, and how special this year was, he said, "You don't have to be so sad, Mom.  I'm still a little kid."  That's true, but he's getting bigger every second, and I hate it.  My very last kindergartener is done with kindergarten.  And Aiden has finished his initiatory year in middle school.  (And he's leaving on a plane today right after school for 5 weeks in Arizona, which is killing me!)

I walked Conor to school, holding his little hand, which I'm privileged to do when I don't have school myself.  I walk him to the green gate, and then he goes into the kindergarten yard (no parents allowed in there.)  He always says, "Meet me by the blue benches!"  Which, of course, after all these months, I already know to do.  He stands near me and we chat.  Sometimes he tries some hula hoop or jump rope or some cool jumping moves to impress me.  And when the attendant rings the bell, he gives me a kiss through the fence.  So, today was our last kiss through the fence.  My jailbird Kindergartener.

These are the gifts that we gave all the teachers this year.  Quick and easy, and (hopefully) sure to please.  Panda Express gift cards.  They do a cute job with their presentation, so I keep going back.  I had to get 12 of these this year!  We made the little tags that say, "I'm so FORTUNATE to have had you for a teacher!"  But I am really thankful for the teachers who work with and love my children.  They all had a great year this year.  

So, now Summer begins!  And now I have a college freshman, an 11th grader (miss you, Dylan!), a 7th grader, and a 1st grader.  I wish it would all slow down.