“I Knew the Day Would Come.”

Yikes!

The owner of our day care for the last seven years said this to me a few weeks ago, when I turned in our notice that today would be our last day for our youngest there.

I knew it too, and now that it’s here, we adults are all a little emotional about it!

It was a no-mascara kind of morning.

My oldest has her last day of kindergarten, and my youngest has his last morning at our day care center. My babies are growing up!

For the past two years, I have been able to call my daughter a kindergarten-er (4K and 5K). Now she will be a first-grader! She has grown up and learned so much these past 180 days. And I think back to the hurried mornings with my reminders to “get going.” This is apparently what I like to say according to my son:

180 days Big Sister “got going” and went to an awesome school led by talented, caring teachers.

I volunteered and helped her class learn about art. It was a joy to see 20 little five and six year olds each month and watch them create projects based on famous works of art. We learned together and had fun!

Little Brother will end his pre-school program at our day care and will be in four-year-old kindergarten this fall. First grade and kindergarten here my kids come. Watch out!

I knew this day – the last day – would come, and so I thought it would be no big deal. To my son and daughter, it was just like any other day. Little Brother was grumpy and sat in the car as I walked Big Sister up to the kindergarten playground. I then dropped him off at day care, shedding some tears and hugging the day care owner and teachers who have known my kids since they were babies.

But, wow – 6 years. This is a big deal. Where did the time go?!

There’s a lot of great memories and love for all of the wonderful teachers who have helped shape my kiddos these past 4 – 6 years.

Overwhelmed after both drop-offs, I took a walk and decompressed a bit, enjoying a beautiful, sunny morning and reflecting on the past year(s).

I am so proud of my kids and so thankful for walking along with them, as they learn and grow.

As I posted in the beginning of the school year, I hope that this summer we can enjoy, love much, and simply “live” in the moment!  Cheers & happy summer!