Julia's end of year picnic. On to Pre K we go!

 The three amigos, ready to head into the playground for the party. This was the FIRST attempt at the party. Giant Mom failure, at getting the time wrong. Doh! 

 Juila and Evie, her closest friend this year at school 

 Mrs. Crum

Mrs. Stevermen

Julia had her end of year picnic this past Thursday, right before Memorial Day weekend and the day after Luke's picnic. Nate had been gone all week. I had it written on my calandar, simply "Julia~ class picnic". No time. This gave me a little nervous flutter, but I figured that it HAD to be the same time as Lukes had been, or I would have written the time. I always kept their newsletters for the present month on my bulletin board, but had thrown them away in a cleaning spree the week before figuring that I was good for end of year at that point. Wrong. 

I had carefully planned my day to the minute as I had a lot to do as Nate had been gone all week and I was getting the 4 of us ready for the beach, the house clean, the fridge cleaned out, and meal and birthday planning for the trip etc. I dutifully got every one fed, dressed, snacks packed, lunch planned for post party with the paltry remains left in the fridge, and we set off for the park. I was proud to be dressed up in my Mom best and not gym clothes, for once, as I had attended more than my fair share of events this year clad in gym ware. Showed up at the park at 9:30, and the kids immediately hit the playground equipment. I saw Julia's teachers and walked over to say hello. They said hello but with a quizzical smile. I got nervous. "What are you doing here this EARLY"? they said? "Her party doesn't start till NOON, this is the Tues/Thurs class party". 

Shit. 

I had to round up all three kids, Jake screaming as I pulled him off of the bridge.....and stuff the poor things back in the car, with my mind racing frantically. I did not have easily packable lunch stuff (I was going to make quesadillas and eat cottage cheese.....bare bones). I calmed everyone down with the promise of gym smoothies for lunch.....ran home, changed into my gym clothes, went to the gym, ordered lunch from the cafe for the kids, worked out a little bit, picked up the lunch for the kids (with smoothies), and went straight from the gym back to the ACTUAL class picnic with lunch courtesy of the cafe, IN my stupid gym clothes yet again, and the kids had a great time, though it was really really hot. My day plan pretty much was shot, though I managed to get it together before Nate got back into town, and we celebrated the kids official end of year with a great dinner out at Iron Hill. We are getting to the point where family dinners out are actually getting *almost* relaxing and enjoyable again :). We were up and packed and out of the house by 8:45 on Friday morning to beat beach traffic, and had the best Memorial Day weekend that I can remember. More on that later. 

Congrats Luke and Julia on a great year of school. I'm so proud of my little K and Pre-K students!  Love you both so much. 

End of year picnic.

We fondly bid farewell to Luke's pre-K class today with our end of year picnic. It was a beautiful day. I can't believe we are moving on!

I'm thrilled Julia will be moving into Mrs. O'Neil and Mrs. Heim's class rooms next year, as we absolutely loved them.

End of an era.

Today was Luke's last day of preschool, and I'm laying in my bed sobbing.

I'm sobbing because he just STARTED preschool. I'm sobbing because this is all going by much too fast. I'm sobbing because I hope, I PRAY, I plead with the universe that I am doing right by this sweet, sweet kid who is my first born. I'm sobbing because I hope that he is getting 100% of all that he needs and deserves from me. I'm sobbing because he is the best little boy I have ever met, and I want to give him the world a thousand times over, and because I pray that he meets nice friends, and that he finds kind and wise and considerate teachers who treat him with respect and dignity. I'm sobbing because I hope that the world welcomes him with smiles, and because I hope that other kids are nice to him. I'm sobbing because he is going to be further outside of the protective bubble of home and preschool......and I just hope that he is met with love and with kindness. I'm sobbing because I love him so much it makes my heart pound in a scary way. I'm sobbing because these milestones are just so freaking bittersweet.

I'm sobbing because I'm so very, very proud of him. Video of his end of year show to follow at some point. It was awesome. He sang and danced his little heart out and my heart nearly burst with pride. Luke, you are an awesome little guy and I adore you. You have a heart of gold.

My Dates

For the Mother's Day Tea.

I pretty much choked back sobs the whole way through.

By Friday I was emotionally and physically shot, I admit it. Knowing that this was Luke's last year in Preschool made it especially emotional for me as I watched him sing his sweet songs, serve me my food, and show me his awesome artwork. Both kids did a great job, and I was simply awed at how grown up they are getting ~ at how vast their skill set is getting as they grow and mature.

I know I talk about it all the time, but the fact that these two are best buddies is one of my greatest joys. I love their special relationship, and I love seeing the friendship that they share.

I hope everyone had a lovely Mothers Day. Nate arrived safely home from his trip, for which I was truly grateful.

Fa la la la laaaaaaaa

 The kids and I were treated to a Phillies game by Mom Mom :) We all loved it, and the Phils won!

 Jules got really into the cheering. 

 My sweet boy and I

Bike riding at East Goshen Park. They are getting so big! This was a really fun Saturday morning activity and I hope to repeat it often this summer. They rode over three miles while I pushed Jake in the stroller. 

Well, we are half way through it. I think that today marks the 1/2 way point of Nates trip to Turkey and Hungary. I'm so grateful to the friends who are having us over for dinner, playdates, or bringing meals. You make me feel very loved and very lucky.

I miss Nate terribly. The kids and I are fine, they are being great, its just so different here without Dad around. I really feel it at night and first thing in the morning ~ I miss talking to him about the nuances of the day or the funny things that the kids do. I'm trying to keep my chin up. I had the Broad St run on Sunday and did way better than I had hoped, so that was a bright spot. Again, I was teary at the finish wishing that my family was there to celebrate with me. Next year. I feel like I'm saying "next year" about a lot right now.