Last Day of School

The childhood anthem School’s out for the summer! School’s out for-EVER! used to fill me with such glee and hopeful anticipation.  And now, well now it just makes me feel old.  And tired.  And a wee bit frantic.  But here we are (or were, a few weeks ago), at the end of another school year.  And all I can think to myself is…where in the heck did the time go?!?

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We absolutely love our kids’ preschool…Triangle Presbyterian Preschool and Kindergarten.  The teachers and staff there have taken incredible care of our family through 3 very full, very overwhelming, very crazy years.  We are so grateful for TPPK.

As the school year came to an end we were able to celebrate our budding Little Scholars with their teachers and classmates.

We kicked things off with the Little Mister’s Ducks class and the fabulous Miss Pam…

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(The Little Mister was one very proud Little Duck.)

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And then concluded the day with the Little Missy’s Frogs class, and the wonderful Miss Tara and Miss Amy…

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(Another proud Little Bookworm.)

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It’s been a great year.  Sob!

Undeterred by all of his Mama’s moans and groans, our Little Sir is VERY happy about school being over and his siblings finally being home with him to play (Read: wrestle, scream, and tear the house apart).

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In closing, I feel the urge to expose my age with yet a few more song references…
(Pay no attention to Mike shaking his head in embarrassment in the background.)

And so we embark on another summer with a diaper bag full of snacks, a calendar full of outings, and minivan full of jubilant Littles who are Walking on Sunshine as they imagine what lies ahead.  All while their Mama chugs down her coffee and reminds herself over and over that come what may,
I Will Survive!

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The Little Miss and her 1/2 birthday

At the Littles’ preschool the parents serve as classroom TAs on a rotating basis.  This co-op system has been great because it has helped me get to know the teachers and kids, and ensured that my pantry is always well stocked with advil and wine (two must-haves in any semi-functioning Mommy establishment, in my opinion).  In late March I assisted in the Little Missy’s classroom and was able to celebrate both Easter and her 1/2 birthday with the class.

And so for this post I’d like to share all I learned about…

“How to Lose Control of a Classroom in 5 Easy Steps”

Step 1: Pique your child’s curiosity by promising that this is sure to be a “BIG day” with possible sightings of Easter Bunnies and Birthday Princesses.  Mention over and over again that you are going to “party hardy” and that she should “GET EXCITED!!!”

(Encouraging your child to count down the days leading up to school drop-off with as much zeal and gusto as she can muster can also really help with this step).

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Step 2: Upon arrival, crown your child as “THE BIRTHDAY PRINCESS FOR THE DAY!” and then announce to her (already high-spirited) royal subjects that they too will get to “party hardy” today!!!

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Step 3: Make sure the kids have sufficient energy for the DAY FULL OF PARTY-HARDY-NESS by feeding them the biggest, sweetest, most sprinkle- and frosting-covered “birthday donuts” you can find.

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Step 4: As the sugar from the donuts hits the kids’ bloodstreams, you’ll notice that the Little Miss Birthday Girl and her pals will begin to skip and hop around the classroom in a somewhat frantic fashion.  Right in that moment, lead the kids outside holding some brightly decorated bags and tell them…

“The Easter Bunny came!  SO GET GOIN’!  GO FIND SOME EASTER EGGS!!!”

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Step 5: And then as the double cocktail of donuts and Easter candy floods their systems, causing the kids to lose all ability to listen, follow instruction, or even see straight, set the pack of euphoric rugrats loose in the playground and encourage them to “play nicely.”

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With your work complete, you can then sit back, relax, and let the pandemonium ensue.

(With your advil and wine at home and at the ready.)

But with an smile like this, you’ll be so glad you did.

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Birthday Ramblings

Given the ridiculous amount of thought and energy we put into celebrating our Littles over the course of the year, it’s often hard for The Hubs and me to care all that much about our own significant events.  As such, we thought we’d keep it simple this past week when Yours Truly turned the ripe old age of 29+1+1+1+1+1+1.

(Don’t worry yourself with the math.  Though the Little Miss still adamantly asserts that her Mama is “only 15,” which I find a whole lot more appealing…Just so long as assuming said age does not also require the return of braces and pimples).

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In an unexpected twist of fate, however, Nena was able to come down for the weekend to celebrate with us.  That meant oodles of attention (and patience) for the Littles and date nights (and freedom!) for the Birthday Girl and my Red Headed Sidekick.  Hooray for us!

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Despite the fact that I was turning the-age-that-must-not-be-named, I could not help but feel jolly from all of the love showered upon me by friends, family, and my three Little Elves.

Otherwise known as…

Happy, Sweetie,

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and Grumpy.
(a.k.a. Sassy, Cheeky, or Drive-Mama-Nuts-y)

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(And yet also and always…my Little Lovey)

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The Little Miss gave me the best birthday gift of all by NOT coming down with the stomach flu (as she did on my birthday last year).  Any party without throw-up is a winner in my book.

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So there you have it, folks.  This broke-down Mama is yet another year older.

And oh so blessed.

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