I sent my little man off to school Wednesday with a bag lunch that celebrated the day.

Yep, Bubba finished on Wednesday with a full day of outdoor play – our educational system at it’s finest.  He told me this morning, “Mom, I really loved Kindergarten.  I love school.  I guess it’s time to say, ‘First grade, here I come!!!’”  Not yet, little man.  Let’s enjoy the days ahead. . .

KB finished on Thursday with a “bring your sibling to class” day.  How nice that Bubba was out and could go sit on the carpet with his little sister.  She was elated.  He told the class that he was in first grade and used a “make no mistake” tone.  After extended time on the playground we headed for home.  KB gave me a sheet that told how much she weighs and how tall she is and announced that she was growing and would now be in Pre-K.  Everyone is in such a hurry it seems.

Today was Little’s last day of 2nd grade.  She is right on grade level with her reading and just below average with Math – - she can do it but doesn’t like to.  There was an award ceremony today and Little was given the certificate for “Most Enthusiastic and Best Laugh”.  I couldn’t ask for more.  When said to Little, “You are officially a third grader, Little, ”  she responded, “I aM?”  Finally.  One kiddo who will take her time. . .

Each day the child finishing up came home to a bucket o’ joy and screams of happiness.  Everything is straight from Pinterest.  You can find links to everything from here.

Here’s the difference the year made. . .

This week I am putting together “End of the Year” treats to give my kiddos on their last day of school, finishing a rag wreath while watching Dr. Who, and cooking “Cinnamon Butter Buns” for the company we have staying with us this weekend.  And just today I got a creativity fix when I decided to duplicate this little gem:

I am sure you have seen it if you’re on Pinterest.

The real reason I am so calm, if I am honest, is that I have a plan for the next three months.  I am anticipating very little “sit and stare at mommy” time.  There are lots of camps and such, but there is also my “little” list.  I got the printable from the gals at Eighteen25 and asked the kids what things they wanted to do over the summer.  (Julie, swimming with Mrs. Puff was mentioned by all three children so you are on the board!)  Just having a list of ideas to choose from makes my heart rate even out!

There is a park to visit for every week of the summer and a thirty minute hike for the family to take each week.  KB is going to learn to read and Bubba has committed to stop sucking his thumb.  Then there’s the “time passers” like making ice cream in individual baggies and eating watermelon and spitting the seeds.  I even think we are going to attempt a sibling sleepover one night and let them all bunk up in one room!!! I am sure you will hear how that goes.  KB asked if we could take pictures of everything and I was more than happy to answer yes.  If you are nice I will share some of them with you.

What fun things do you have in the pipeline for summer? Leave a comment and permission to “steal” your idea!

The rest of the day was fun. Our friends came over for an egg hunt and meal.  The men hid the eggs, as is tradition here, and the kids found them all, as is becoming tradition here.

Ready to go. . .

The year the eggs had money in them. This picture shows our friend Dave telling the kids to put them money into his pocket where he’ll keep it safe for them. Nice one, Dave.

Bottom line? Fun was had by all.  We LOVE spending Easter Sunday with Dave and Julia.  The next morning I was asked, “When will Mr. Nolda and Ms. Julia come to play again?”
I was wondering the same thing!

KB said, “My first baby cookies!”

I hoped it would end there but I later heard her ask Little, “Would you like a boy or a girl?”
Little replied, “A girl, of course.”. (Everyone knows girl cookies are the yummiest. . . eye roll)
Apparently Little reached for a baby doll because the next thing I heard was KB saying, “No, Little, that’s a boy.”

I won’t expect many comments here since I am sure you are all off to start a prayer chain or light a candle for my children. I’ll take it.

So, in order to celebrate our teachers in a “pin” worthy manner, I did a search on Pinterest and found an idea I could tweak and make my own. This is what I came up with:

Source: pbjstories.com via Becky on Pinterest

I thought the idea was precious but I wanted to jazz it up a bit, so I made a tag of my own and KB headed out the door today with two of these:

Sure, a cello bag would have jazzed it up a notch, but I think it’s okay for less than 24 hours.

Last week we had a week long appreciation fest at Little’s school and I was in charge of wrapping the gift cards and contributing to the snack table. Another Pinterest search yielded these adorable ideas:

Source: skiptomylou.org via Becky on Pinterest

and

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Jolleen on Pinterest

I used some little bags I got from Pick Your Plum months ago and created my version of the bags.
Honey picked up some root beer and I tied on the tags.

I just love appreciating the teachers. I appreciate the creative outlet! I need to figure out whom I will appreciate next week so I can make these:

Source: skiptomylou.org via Becky on Pinterest

It all really started last weekend when my mom was here for a visit. She took this little munchkin out into the 90+ degree heat and started the process of cleaning out the van. I played ignorant and KB was so very excited. It became necessary to use the van and so they had to stop before finishing, BUT they got all the trash out which made it so very simple for Honey and the girls to take the van to a place where 15 guys attack your van and have it shining before you can sing the alphabet. It was beautiful – just what I wanted.

Isn’t it great?? And the best thing is that today, Mother’s Day, a week later. . . it still looks this clean!! There has been quite a few times where a passerby could hear me saying, “aah! Don’t you get out of the car without that_____” (fill in with doll, backpack, cup, crayon, etc.)

So I got to drive a clean van today, worship with my church family, eat Qdoba for lunch, spend the afternoon in my room at my desk (heaven), and go on a walk across the street with my whole family. LOVED IT. Unfortunately, someone had ridden a horse on the trail just before we got there and KB spent the first half of the walk announcing “POOP” every few feet, but even the BMN (bowel movement narrative) couldn’t bring me down. When we got home, Honey gave baths while Bubba drew me the picture at the top of the screen. So lovely!!

The day ended with three little ones telling me they love me and happy mother’s day, an episode of Sherlock Holmes, and my Honey telling me he’s glad I’m his. Nice.

Hope your day was just as nice. What was your favorite part of the day?

Thankfully, one gentleman sat on the front row and put a video camera on a tripod to catch every lovely minute.  Here’s the 3/4 year olds’ minute:

(KB is the last gal on the right; the lone girl on the other side of the little boy.)