Lucky ME!

I LOVE THEM....

Because they work so hard....

To give me these!!!

Last Day of Preschool

My youngest child finished her last day of preschool today.  Many mothers have walked this road before me with many different emotions.  Some are so ready.  Others are unapologetic.  Others are nostalgic.  Some are so proud of their little ones.  Some are sad.  Some are excited.  Some are so busy just trying to get through the day that they barely notice.  

I fall into the sad camp.  Of course I have other emotions, but , honestly, I am sad.  I can't believe it has gone so fast.  How can  you live a life where some days are so long that you think they will never be over and yet claim it has gone by so fast?  I unapologetically raise my hand to this.  Thats just life with little ones.  

I am sad that the years with little ones are over.  I am sad she will be going to school every day next year.  I am sad for the things left undone.  I am sad for what I could have done better.  I was not always the mother I wanted to be, or expected myself to be.  I am sad I will not be called upon to make play dough for the class room.  I am sad to not get book order sheets because I didn't always get those filled out like I wanted to.  I am sad not to know who the "very important kid" of the day is each day - one of her highlights this year.  

I am grateful that she will still be going half days next year and we will still eat lunch together every day.  I am grateful that she has had such extraordinary teachers the last two years.  I am grateful that she is healthy.  I am grateful that she will be at the same school as my other kids next year.  I am grateful that she is excited for her new adventure, and comfortable with where she will be.  I am grateful for the teachers she will have next year.  I am grateful for the summer ahead of us.  I am grateful for my husband and all of my children. 

I am grateful for being able to watch her walk the stepping stones in the children's garden at her preschool this year.  She did it most every day before and after school.  

And I am grateful that I got to watch her walk her last steps in that garden today.

First Day of School 2007 - 2 years old, 

First Day of School 2008 - 3 years old

 In the beloved garden May 2009

Last Day of Preschool May 2009 - 4 years old

How did you feel about your child's last day of preschool?

Mine That Bird

Doesn't everyone love the story of the Underdog? Why is that?  Why are we drawn to those stories? How can it be that I don't know a thing about horses, horseracing, Kentucky Derby, or Preakness, but I can turn on the TV right before the event, watch the 2 minute race, and be in tears with the story about a small town Louisiana boy and a trainer who drove into the tracks with a 20 year old pick up truck and a trailor, with a 50:1 odds, win the race? 

We can identify with these stories.  They give us hope and inspiration.  They make us believe almost anything is possible.  These stories could be you, me, or the guy down the street. They feel good.  

Sometimes I am just a sucker for the feel good stories.