School's Out

Today was the last day of school. It was so hard to send my "babies" on their way to third grade. I have really grown attached to them all. Each one is so special to me in different ways and for different reasons. Teachers often receive gifts at the end of the year, the best one I got was one mom who said thanks with tears in her eyes. Her little guy struggles in school but has had a lot of personal growth this year, and is one I have grown especially fond of.
I spent most of the day trying to stay awake. Kelsey graduated from high school last night, and her class had an all night party. So at 2 a.m. I got up and went over and "played" with the grads. The party went until after five, and I couldn't really see any reason to go to bed, in fact I didn't think I would be able to get up, so I came home and read the paper, took a shower, then went to school. Oh, did I forget to mention that I didn't go to bed until about 12:30? I actually did pretty well until about 5:00 this afternoon. That was when I passed out. Luckily, Charlie was here to wake me for my meeting at 7:00.
So, in the fall, Kelsey will move and go to college, and I will get some new students. School's out, but not really.

Toilet Paper Anyone?

On Friday we had the grandkids over to spend the night. I was really tired and went to bed about 11:30, but had been asleep for over an hour. At 1:30 I heard Parker crying and went to find out what was wrong, and was surprised to find Mark sitting up with him. Mark knew I was tired, and Parker had had a late nap so he didn't go to sleep until very late. Anyway, I knew that Mark was tired, too, so I told him to go to bed and I would sit with Park. After a few minutes, Parker wandered into the living room, made a nest of pillows on the couch and settled in for the night. I didn't want to immediately move him until I was sure he was asleep and so I sat on the recliner and thought to myself, "Wow, if you were the kind of person who does that sort of thing, it would be a perfect night to go TPing." When my eyes adjusted to the light, I noticed the unmistakable white strands of toilet paper waving in the breeze. So just to be sure, I went to the window and yes, there was the most fabulous job of juvenile deliquency I have ever seen. Somehow they managed to get it up in the trees about 25 feet. Then it occured to me that Mark had been awake the whole time the crime was comitted. I went and woke him up and asked him how we got toilet papered if he was awake. I am actually his Toilet Paper Anger Management Specialist and so when I was able to talk him out of his ire, I reminded him that in fact, if he hurried, he could beat the sprinklers and get it while it was dry. This is why at 1:45 a.m. my wonderful husband was outside our home gathering the spoils of the two-ply nice stuff.
Then last night at Kelsey's grad party, a few of her friends slyly mention the TP in the trees. I say yes, but that we were able to foil the plans of the teenages who tried to ruin our Saturday. They laughed and enjoyed the joke, but when the party ended at 1:00 and I went in the back room for my prayers, it seemed the challenge was on! A little car with a noisy muffler pulled in front of our house. Since I was finished thanking my Father in Heaven for all of my awesome blessings, I sprang up and looked out the window. Yes, it appeared they were back for more fun. I stealthily sprinted up the hall and waited, yes waited, then turned on the front lights. Then, crawling on the floor, (try to make a picture of this in your head), turned on the side lights. Mark and I waited for about 25 minutes and they finally left. Alas, in victory comes the challenge. Now I feel we must wait up for the little criminals each and every night until they tire of the sport or we die of fatigue. Zach has a plan, it involves fishing line, I'll get back on that one.

Two days off!

I took two days off to just hang out. Of course I went back to school yesterday-twice. I will miss my little babies so much. They make me laugh. There is a little joke at school that I work my kids til they puke. It's a good story, but not one that is appropriate for here. Let's just say it was a little like Fear Factor in my classroom. I think the producers of that show should use jalapeno bagels for one of their stunts. And also, only one kid did throw up.
We have been planting lots of flowers to beautify our yard. It is going to make my hands fall off. We worked for hours yesterday and will today again.
Our home will be filled today with Kelsey's graduating friends. We don't know how many are coming, between 5 and 50 is our best guess. But it will be hamburgers and salad and lots of fun!
Next week will be fun, but packed with stuff! Last day of school for us, graduation, up all night with the party, getting ready for summer school. . .

I love teaching! Yesterday I had last recess duty and went out with my students. As always, they huddle around me like little chicks around the mother hen. I am not calling myself a mother hen. Anyway, recess came right after a cloud burst. The air smelled fresh and clean and I said, raising my hands up "I just love the smell of the new rain!" Just then the thunder clapped. The kids stood there with their mouths gaping and Luke said "Wow, you have powers just like a galactic overlord." Thank you, finally they know.

So now that I know how to get to my account, I guess I should write about my life again. School is winding down, summer is coming, my flowers are calling and I feel bushed. Kelsey is getting ready for graduation and getting on with her life. It is fun to watch the kids be so excited about leaving home. I am really not sure how I feel about that. Why do they want to leave? Lucky for them, I am such a young mother so I remember how it feels. She went to morp and came home for hot fudge sundaes with the most interesting group of people. These are not the kind of people you want your kids hanging out with, but I thought, "At least Mark and Charlie are here to protect us." Being the law abiding citizens they all are, at least they left before the city curfew.