The last day of school was All School Mass and the award ceremony. Matt must have been tired from all the walking up and back to get his accolades. Even Andrew received an award...not the one he wanted but I like his competitive spirit. The award was a Fitness Award, and he earned the second tier...no doubt he will be practicing his chin-ups and push-ups this summer.
We are saying good-bye to a priest at our parish who is leaving to be a pastor somewhere else. The kids have LOVED him and he has made a huge difference in the school community. He interacts with each of the kids and they feel comfortable enough to talk to him and joke with him...such a great thing in the junior high years especially. Each class, Preschool-8th, presented him with a gift. I don't know how he held it together, because I was dabbing my eyes.
Abbey had me read this card that her Spanish teacher gave her. The teacher wrote out a personal thank you to each and every student. And here I am dabbing again. There is nothing like a good teacher, honestly.
Abbey and her class spent the last hour of 8th grade bawling their eyes out. I don't know why I find that funny but I just do. Trust me, if I was there, I would have been also...there is something about teenagers crying that makes me immediately cry also. I have no idea why. Anyways, her poor 8th grade homeroom teacher...I guess her classroom was in shambles-she had planned on having them straighten it up before they left and she decided to just say "the heck with it" because everyone was losing it and bawling everywhere. (No, none of the boys cried, of course, but I bet they wanted to.)
Somehow, at sometime, somewhere, I had agreed to a party that last day. For the entire class. Honestly, I don't know how that happened. Do you ever have moments like that? I must have been distracted and just kept answering, "Sure!" to whatever anyone asked me, without paying attention. So with one day warning, we had a graduation party.
I don't know how these kids keep track of their phones. Isn't it funny how they are apt to misplace just about anything else but these?
Ummm...no way! Could you imagine? That would get scary. We compromised and he had a sip of orange bad boy juice, and was in heaven...
...because he went from one pretty girl to another the little traitor.
Andrew was overjoyed because he has what no other first grader could possibly acquire...autographs of the graduating class of 2011. He hit up every kid, and they wrote the sweetest things. He carried his year book with him to bed.
..and after awhile all their parents picked them up and they were all gone, and hugging and yelling "Good-bye!" like they would never see each other again. It was the easiest party ever, and so enjoyable. Mostly because, like I have said 1000 times before, these are the nicest, most polite, well-mannered kids ever. Not ONE problem, not ONE issue.
Endings and beginnings...so exciting, and bittersweet, and scary and fun all at the same time. It never stops feeling that way I don't think, for the rest of our lives, whether we're 14 or 42.
Love your post. I have a teenage daughter and I share all your hostessing fears. In the end, though, they don't really care about the food or the entertainment, they just want to all be together.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like they had a blast! Great post. =D I hope ya'll have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteGreat party! You have a beautiful backyard. Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI have tears in my eyes- the good kind:-).
ReplyDeleteLooks like everyone had a great time! What a great way to end the school year! Happy Summer!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree about parties. They give me anxiety. I always feel like there will be too much/not enough food.
ReplyDeleteI don't like people...well crowds so that makes it a no win.
Your party looks like greatness.
Making Memories! I love this post!!
ReplyDeleteLove this post! Hats off to you for hosting a great party! And so good to know you don't need a huge house, the best yard and all that other stuff...because we don't and I don't think we ever will. Enjoy the summer!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful church! And that card from your daughter's spanish teacher, wow! It's always nice when other people recognize how great your kids are. It lets you know you're doing your job right. :o)
ReplyDeleteThis time of year is always hard for me. The ending of another grade in school, and this month is also my daughter's birth month (she's turning 9!). Between those two events, it makes me realize how quickly time is passing. If only I could truly slow it down! :o)
Sarah Kate
Awww...those are the times they will remember, no special food, no special place, just being together and having fun!
ReplyDeleteI love that your house is a gathering place. That's how you want it, right? Yeah for Summer!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great end to the school year! Sweet note from the Spanish teacher..... wonderful words. My girl rarely knows where her cell phone is.... she's the odd-ball, I guess! What a great party! Having your house as the gathering place is a great thing..... I don't think I have room for 30 kids in my back yard!
ReplyDeleteGreat post and all so true! I too struggle with the hostess thing....I constantly remind myself not to "Sweat the Small Stuff" .... but I still do. I also get so happy and sad at the same time each year...sad my children are growing older so quickly and happy that it's summer time and I get to have them around all the time.! Enjoy your summer!
ReplyDeleteAw, you must be so proud of Abbey. It is an exciting time! And the teen gatherings....well, my sister says she misses those - that having the kids around energizes her. (My cousin and I say that we feel pretty tired!) Since my son has come home and all the kids in and out of the house, I'm feeding more people and staying up waaaay later! But I do love having the kids around.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the graduation reminded me of my first three and how my last will not graduate with his original school. It still makes me sad. The kids at the new school, however, did not get to graduate in our church. Since the consolidation sent the new school to a new church, all the events happen there - it's a bit sad for our church community and our kids. But we are not there anyway, and I'm glad we made the change.
Sarah, way to go on hosting the party! Never easy for me, either! I have decided on having a party for my daughter next month when she turns 14! Thanks for the great tips. We will be doing a bonfire. Our back porch/patio is ready (I just blogged about it), now I just have to wrap my head around her going to high school and pray that it doesn't rain! Your peonies are gorgeous! Congrats on the completion of an awesome school year for all of your kiddos. hugs, cathy
ReplyDeleteSo proud of you with the party! I am not an easygoing, natural entertainer. I plan everything~the food, the activities, backup plans...just in case. I so wish I could be a "everyone come on over", pull stuff out of the fridge, who cares what the house looks like entertainer. What a great group of kids~such a blessing for her to have wonderful friends!!
ReplyDeleteHow lucky you are.
ReplyDeleteThere are other reasons the kids love your home {other than the fun stuff}. Kids know where they are safe and cared for.