Bittersweet

The final days of school came and with them the bittersweet feeling of another year ending. I had been so excited for summer this year. We had been really scheduled with me teaching preschool two mornings a week, Kelsie gone to school all day for the first year, and trying to fit in time to be helpful in her class. I could hardly wait for the long summer days with nothing planned. I really thought that for the first time in my life I would not be nostalgic at all, but, as always, when the final days come there was a bittersweet feeling. The excitement for the fun of summer tinged with tears for the end of another year and another chapter in our life. At our preschool program Emily said good-bye to her preschool friends. Emily really didn't understand that they wouldn't all be coming back again. She was really sad...I guess in her little 4 year old mind it seemed reasonable that they would all come to preschool in our basement forever. Luckily, she still gets to play with some of her dearest friends.
I will miss these little guys. It was a fun year for me... finally being able to teach again and do something I've dreamed about since the day I walked out of my 1st grade classroom. But, I also found it was harder than I thought to balance my family and preschool during this first year. Through it all I grew to love these little guys. I will always remember the first time they wrote their name alone or sounded out a word in a book. I love to see their pride in their accomplishments and I will miss those eager smiles.

On Kelsie's last day of school Emily was so excited. I told her Kelsie would be home by lunch time and would be home every day for the rest of the summer. Emily's shocked and happy smile said it all. She has missed Kelsie so much this year and would start asking at 10:00 am, "How much longer until Kelsie gets home?" Those were some long days.

Kelsie leaving her first grade classroom. She had a great teacher, Mrs. Richins, made great friends, and loves reading and spelling. Her teacher taught them to work together and help each other to learn. She was so excited for summer and has been counting down the days so I was surprised at how sad she was that evening. She was sad that she couldn't go back in the morning to her teacher and her class.

It was a bittersweet day, but now we are thrilled to have our Kelsie home with us all day. We love the freedom and calm of summer.