Limping Across the Finish Line

Soooo thankful that today is the last day of school.

While I am relishing the silence of an empty house as Rich takes the kids to school for the last time this year, (he usually gives me 10 min of quiet by taking the young two with him too), I can't wait for the mornings of no imposed schedules.  Other then the fact that I have almost booked up our entire summer with classes, swimming lessons, summer camps, camping, birthday parties, weddings, and such, it will be TOTALLY relaxing....(she said sarcastically).

But back to this morning.
As it has been for the last couple of weeks, the kids barely made it out of the house on time.
They most likely didn't brush their teeth,
and I know for sure that there was absolutely no brush run through any one's hair.

The wholesome homemade muffins for snack ran out a week ago, so the backpack has a broken, crumbly granola bar shoved in it, and the water bottle still has yesterdays' water jostling around.

I think one went to school missing socks,
and the other went to school in a tank top and gym shorts.

Everyone is done. The teachers are done.
I'm done.

It's been a long, but good year.

Brynn is finally catching up.  She has a long way to go, but is voluntarily reading books.  (Which doesn't sound like a huge feat, but trust me, it is.) She still loves her art projects, excels at math, and loves her friends.  There have been times this year that I have caught glimpses of her as a person, not just my daughter, and I am totally impressed.  She has proven to be calm and thoughtful under pressure.  She has a nurturing side that is not inherited from me.  She can talk to anyone, is friends with everyone, and has just a sweet spirit to her friends.

Cannon has embraced a "class clown" attitude that drives me berserk.  He loves to get a laugh from his classmates, and has had to "clip down" on the behavior chart so many times that it's ridiculous.  He doesn't ever get to the point where we have to step in, but we've made it abundantly clear that we will be backing his teacher 100% when (yes, I said "when") we get that call.  His best friend moved away half way through the year, and it took a few weeks for him not to go to school without tears...which was hard for me.

Maeve finished preschool.
Barely.
There were some major bribes going on the last couple of weeks. Just getting her to let go of my hand when we got there required me to grit my teeth, and walk away.  She cried every. single. day.
I have no idea how next year will be for her.
(I'm scared....)


So, summertime, sweet summertime, is finally here.
I've got a stack of library books for the kids to conquer.
There's a bin of artsy type projects to do when "there's nothing to do".
There are cartoons to watch, and swings to swing on.
Bikes to ride, and chickens to chase.
Trampolines to jump on, and veggies to eat.
Pools to swim in, sprinklers to run through, and toddlers to potty train.

I. can't. wait.