Officially The End

Today was officially the last day of school and the last day of celebrations. {exhale}  Shew...that was a busy two weeks.

I can't begin to tell you how excited I am for a schedule free summer with all three of my kiddos home.  Okay, I have to be honest though, in between that excitement is a wee bit of anxiety.  I have great plans for us for the next few moths.  But, geez, if my kids keep arguing the way they have been recently this could make for a long summer.

I don't know when or why it happened, but it has.  Sibling rivalry at it's finest here lately.  Oh, how I miss the days of them adoring each other.  I didn't know how good I had it for so long.  I imagine someone out there can relate.

Just keeping it real friends.

But, enough of the bickering, let's get to today...Jack's LAST day of Kindergarten.  He is officially a Fantastic1st grader!

I find that to be something worth celebrating.  So in the deepest part of my Mommy heart I set out to do just that-celebrate Jack, the end of school, the beginning of summer, and becoming a first grader.

Well, the best laid plans....and you know how the rest of that goes.  However, let me tell how we ended that little prophecy.

Honestly, I knew Jack was super bummed about school letting out.  I mean the kid absolutely ADORES school.  If he could find a year round school he would be at the gates clambering to get in.

And I've also picked up, with my motherly instincts, that he has been a bit "off" here the past two weeks. I solely attribute that to the ending of a fabulous school year.

So I knew I had to make the onset of summer vacation extra special.  I mean, I even let Maggie skip her nap to help make it a big deal.  Now you know that's serious.

Mags and I posted signs up and down the driveway with all kinds of Jack praises and fun sayings welcoming summer.  And we wrote a giant Happy Last Day of School Jack!! with sidewalk chalk in the driveway.  {which I'm fully aware needs to be replaced-trust me it's on my summer list}

Armed with cans of silly string, Maggie and I trotted up to the bus stop in the sweltering heat {because you know it's only freezing or scorching this lovely month of May}.  And just before she was about to belt into a full blown whine {I blame the heat again topped with the lack of a nap}, we were saved by the bus.  And I must note, she was beside herself.  It was super cute.  This was her first bus stop visit.

We got our cans ready, cheered, hooted and hollered with glee, and this is what we were greeted by.  A teary eyed Jack.  Yes, he loves school that much.

The tears escalated to sobbing.  Then to a "I love school, I don't want to be home for the summer, This is the worst day" and on and on.  I would be lying if I say my heart wasn't broken.  Yes, yes, I know, I can't take it personally, but seriously, I was crushed.

Here I am looking forward to summer, doing my best to make this an exciting deal, and this is what I get.  Jack took a look at the driveway and then somberly headed inside, went straight upstairs and continued to cry in his bed.

Truthfully, I had to let him be for a while.  I was hurt and I knew the right words were not on the tip of my tongue.  I gave each of us some breathing time before heading upstairs.

And when I did, he smothered me in a ginormous hug and apologized.  Oh, how I love that kid.  Happily, we worked through it all and are planning to make this summer GREAT!

It certainly didn't hurt that that brilliant teacher of his planned a Last Day Pool Party for the class. Excellent timing.  Once Jack was reunited with his school buddies and Ms. S, that joyous smile of his was plastered on his face for the remainder of the afternoon and straight into the evening.

Upon leaving, Jack made me vow that we would see his friends this summer.  Ms. S said we could call anytime.  And I promised I would do my part to make his summer fabulous as long as he did his part to have a fabulous attitude.

I think we officially made it to the end.  And although it was a little bumpy today I'm pretty hopeful that we worked through it and have a happy beginning ahead of us.

Helllooo Summer!