Last Day Of Kindergarten, Welcome Summer

Deb is so wonderful, b/c she knows how much I love pictures and she always takes some of Autumn for me and sends them to me.  I appreciate that more than she’ll ever know.  She had a fun day on her last day of Kindergarten.  I tried to get Autumn to wear the same outfit today that she wore on her first day of Kindergarten, but she was in a rotten mood this morning.  Plus, we had some pretty intense rainstorms overnight and it was wet and windy this morning.  So, instead of getting into a power struggle over it, I just let her wear whatever she wanted and figured we can get a picture in that outfit tomorrow or Saturday. 

Last night when Autumn was going to bed, I heard her in her room crying.  I went in to ask what was wrong and she said she was so sad that today will be the last time she’ll see her Kindergarten teacher.  Her teacher is moving to another school to be the librarian next year, so Autumn won’t get to see her in the halls or get to stop by her room.  I thought that was sweet that Autumn loves her teacher so much! 

We made a little bag of goodies to thank her for all she’s done.  She’s been a perfect teacher for Autumn.  She was so patient w/ Autumn’s aloof side, but she did it in a loving way and kept her on task.  She encouraged Autumn’s artistic side and let her be herself and express that.  I can only hope that Autumn’s 1st Grade teacher will be as strict but loving.

Deb wanted to do something fun to celebrate our Kindergarten graduates & ring in the summer fun, so they came over to swim and eat.  It rained a lot today and was cool and cloudy, but the sun came out a few hours before we got together.

Deb brought 2 big pizzas from Papa Murphy’s, and the goat cheese and spinach and sausage one was so flavorful and delicious.  I’ll for sure be buying that in the near future to eat again.  Deb had texted me earlier in the day to ask if Mandy & Mason could come, too.  I was so glad they wanted to come, b/c my motto is “the more, the merrier!”

After we ate, we jumped in the pool and swam for a while.  Once the sun went down behind the house, it got cold and the wind picked up.  It was only 72 degrees, which is cold for us in Texas in June.  The kids started shivering, so we finally got out and had some dessert.  We had popsicles, so we went out on the driveway so the kids could lay on the warm cement and be in the sunshine.  This picture of random towels, Mom’s helping kids w/ push-up popsicles, and long shadows just makes me so happy.

The kids has such a great time playing out on the fort in the backyard while us Moms sat and talked.  We kept commenting about how fun it was to listen to their laughs and squeals of joy and fun.  It’s the sound of childhood and fun summer memories to come.  They all gave each other a big bear hug when it was time to go.  We’re so blessed to have access to a nice house, pool and backyard to entertain our friends.  We’re also so blessed to have such great friends that fill those places w/ joy and laughter and memories!