School's (Almost) Out For Summer

I can’t believe the school year for the kids is finished. Last year on May 27 I was writing this same thing. They were supposed to be finished on May 24 this year but had that extra week off after the Christmas break because of bad weather. Their last official day is June 2 and it’s only a half day; they’ll get dismissed at 12:15. They’re very excited. That’s for the boys. Dolly actually finishes tomorrow. The Headstart kids have to finish before the other schools because there won’t be busses available to return everyone home if they all finish on the same day. Ty is finishing second grade, Zach is finishing first grade, and Dolly is finishing her first year of pre-school. I’m so proud of them all.

Tomorrow is the boys’ awards assembly. It’s from 9:00-9:45 in the morning so Dolly and I will be there. I’ll have my camera handy also because the boys always win something. It’s just adorable watching them walk up to the stage to get whatever awards they’ve won. They always look so proud and I always feel a sense of pride for them. I’ve got tears in my eyes as I write this because the thought of them winning is just the greatest. I can imagine what I’ll be like when they graduate high school and then college if I’m like this while they’re in elementary school. Geez, I’ll be bringing boxes of tissue to school events as they grow.

We had water day last Friday, the awards tomorrow, and their last day will consist of a kickball game between the teachers and the fifth graders, then they’ll have time for yearbook signing, then dismissal. I simply can’t believe another year has come and gone. It seems like only last week I was taking pictures of them on their first days of school. They were so excited to be going and Dolly just couldn’t wait to get on her bus. It’s times like this I long for the days when they were still babies but I’m really glad they’re not. It’s an honor just watching them grow into the people they’re supposed to be. Granted, they do get on my nerves a lot lately, but it’s all a part of the growing process.

So, after Wednesday, they’ll be free until Monday when they – just the boys – start summer school which will run from June 7 until July 9. Zach says the only reason he’s going is to get the $100 gift card. That’s fine with me because that’s the only reason I send them. If there was no incentive, they’d be home if they chose to be home. We take the gift cards and buy them each something for completing school and the rest comes to me to buy household stuff and school supplies for the next year. With luck, and if the Universe answers my challenge, my kids will be going to school somewhere in Maryland in the fall. That’s why I want this move to be made before the summer is finished.

Now that I know there is summer school, I’ll be totally grateful for an apartment lease that begins anywhere from July 15 – August 1. That’ll give the kids a chance to get those gift cards and I’ll have time to pack while they’re out of the house. Then we’ll all have time to adjust to our new surroundings before the next school year begins. I’ve put the challenge out there, now the ball is in the Universe’s court. I’m just going to do what I need to do as usual and whatever happens, happens. It’s out of my hands now. Tomorrow I’ll walk the boys to school, come home with Dolly and run to Dollar General when it opens to get a few things. Then we’re off to the awards assembly and back home after that where I’ll continue doing laundry. I’ll put her on the bus at 11:45 and will be free until 2:30 when the boys get home. It’s the same old routine that I really want to shake up over the next couple of weeks. When summer school ends I want to be packed and ready to get on the road. We’ll see.

Until next time…peace to all.