Last Day of School

Today was the last day of school. First Grader finished up her year at the local public school and we circled day 180 on the calendar at our little school at home. Overall it was a great school year for everybody. Some are more excited about it's ending than others. I fall somewhere in the middle. I am glad to have a break from planning and grading and teaching, but I am going to miss the focused time spent with The Oldest. That was the best surprise wrapped up in this whole home school experiment. I found out how much I loved being at home with my kids. That may sound funny since that has been my job for the past ten years, but it was different for me this year because homeschool was a choice that brought children back home during time that they had before spent in someone else's care. Having kids early in our marriage, and not ever having a job outside of what I do at home, I had secretly been counting down to the year when everybody would be in school. I had no idea what I would do with time and space filled only with me, but yearned for the excitement and possibility of it all. When we decided to give homeschooling a try this year, I had worried I would feel cramped, that I would resent having to give up my time. And I'll be honest, the first three months were quite a period of adjustment for me. I felt a bit lost in the midst of trying to figure out how to do life now having devoted a significant amount of time to something that had not been mine to juggle before.

But with lots of tying and trying again, I think we figured it out. And I can say I really came to love the time I got to spend with The Oldest. There were days I would be sitting on the couch reading history or listening to him dissect sentences that I found myself wondering what I did with my days before I stumbled across the blessing of partnering in my child's journey of learning. Don't get me wrong, I am ready for summer vacation, for days at the pool, breakfast at 10:00, relaxed bedtimes and the hope of worn out kids sleeping in, even just a little bit. But I am also looking forward to sitting down and looking through all the new books I just put on our school shelf. The shelf holds a bit more this year because we've decided to bring First Grader home for school next year, too. As I think about that adventure, I have a new file of wonders and concerns-I wonder where we will find space to do all this learning. I can't quite imagine just how I will have the time and patience to teach two kids. I could go on, but before heading to bed on this last day of school, I would rather smile with the giddy feeling of accomplishment that finishing well brings. I'm proud of all my kids this year and shake my head in disbelief that another school year has come to a close. It's been a good one and has left me looking forward to next year (after a nice, long summer vacation, of course).

Pictures from the last day of school.

 As I came a bit groggily down the steps this morning, I was surprised to see my usual spot on the couch already taken by The Oldest. By the time My Husband made it downstairs, The Oldest had completed his final two assignments of the year. (He doesn't usually snuggle up with the wall clock while doing his work, I added it as a fun prop for a clever last day of school picture. The second picture gives you a glimpse of just how clever The Oldest thought the whole thing to be)- Thursday, June 7.

 First Grader had beach day today. Anything with a theme that involves coming up with an outfit is right up her alley. But, except for the outfit, she was the one who was less than happy about the last day of school. When she got in the van after school today she threw herself over the console of the front seat and burst into tears. Up to this point last days of school have not been the happiest of times for her. Yesterday we ran into her preschool teacher at the library. She was asking if First Grader was done with school yet. When we told her she had one more day, she looked at me and quietly asked if it was going to be a rough day for First Grader. Apparently her teacher had not forgotten the image of sobbing First Grader on the last day of preschool, determined not to leave the outside steps of the building because she was so upset the year was through. The tears were quieter this year, but no less genuine. I ached for her, but smiled too at how precious she is- Thursday, June 7.

 

I couldn't leave out Little One, though her last day of school was almost a month ago. I overheard her bragging to one of our friends today that she was the first one done with school this year. "I learned everything already," she said. Well, that will make my job a lot easier in the years to come!- Thursday, June 7.