Last Day of School: Take One

Friday was the final day of school for the girls.  Poor Miss M!  Now that she's "alone" at the junior high (with the 7:40 a.m. start time), we didn't get to go out for donuts first.  The past few years we've had a small crew with Mr C and Miss M along with a few friends, but this year most of the Jr High crew wanted to sleep in. Plus, Mr C had to be at school at 7:45 and dad was the driver so it just didn't give us enough time.  I've promised M that we will have a donut day for M and C early this summer!

Miss A, after a super hectic week, slept until almost eight, meaning we rushed to our Donut Date with friends from school. Thankfully, she had picked out her clothes the night before and I'd already made her lunch.  No way was she eating chef surprise!

It was a great morning; traditional picture on the porch and backpack picture on the wall.  Miss A was most thrilled that it would be her final day wearing the backpack (according to our two year rule-she gets a new one this fall).  Gotta love how she remembers the "rules."  Now, we just have to convince her get the Eddie Bauer Lifetime Backpack that we never have to replace.  Somehow, I think she's thinking more cartoon or girly girl design!

Miss A was a little sad to say goodbye to her first grade teacher and buddies and so were her parents.  Thankfully, Miss A was invited to a fun Bounce House Party after school so for Miss A the fun continued into the evening and her parents and Miss M got to party too!

It's almost summer for our family!  Poor Mr C had a long weekend of studying for finals ahead.

 Miss M at Honors Night.  A 4.0 is something to celebrate!  We are so proud of this young lady. Of course, Miss A had to be a part of the picture.

One of my Favorite Lunch Dates

I'm a sucker for a lunch date.  I love to "do" lunch with friends, my hubby, or my kids.  Not only don't I have to cook or plan the food, a lunch date normally means you have that person's undivided attention and can talk about everything or nothing.

My lunch date on Tuesday with Miss A was a real treat.  It was born out of necessity, but the end result was something that I'll treasure for years.  Because this weekend was crazy busy and my husband was out of town, I had not gone to the grocery store for days. Thus, Tuesday morning when I read the school lunch menu and saw that I'd need to make Miss A a cold lunch I panicked.  I'd planned on grocery shopping that morning, but at 7:30 that morning I was breadless.  Nada. Nothing. Now I'll tell you, Miss A when she has cold lunch, which is often, normally has a peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread along with some pretzels, a piece of fruit, and some sort of cookie, brownie or pudding cup.  The main item is always pb on bread.  That's a problem without any bread.

Quick thinking Mama offered to bring lunch up to school. I'd even bring a hot lunch for her to enjoy: mac and cheese.  How could a girl refuse?  Miss A was thrilled. Not only would she get one of her favorite meals, she'd get lunch with mom out of the deal. Gotta love that.

It's a special day when you get to have lunch with a bunch of first graders.  First, I got to hold Miss A and a friends' hand walking down to the cafeteria. I got a huge hug for the yummy mac n cheese and I got to open a half dozen milk cartons, jello cups, and even cut up a few burritos.  Miss A's teacher even came by to talk.  There was a lot of giggling, some silly stories, and even a few deep conversations about what costumes they would be wearing for the upcoming plays. 

After lunch, I was invited to come outside and watch a little of the playground fun.  Miss A wanted to show off her skills on the jungle gym.  However, I was then quickly excused so that the could run around for awhile and play an elaborate game of chase.  Of course, I got at least five hugs from little girls before I headed off with the best one of course coming from my favorite first grader Miss A.

It Will Be Well Worth Your Time

Miss A has a way with words.  She often uses phrases that are a way beyond a normal seven year old daily vocabulary and, for the most part, she uses them in the right context.  She'll say things that get right to the heart of the matter and often tug at those heartstrings as well.  Daily, she'll say things that stop me in my tracks or give me a giant chuckle.

My husband says she repeats a lot of the phrases that I use with other adults or say to either my mother or husband in conversations.  While I hate to admit he's right, he is.  Sometimes, though, she'll say things that I know I've never said!

This week alone she's said things that I just want to document for future reference.  On Wednesday night, I was at knitting and Mr C was at grandparents night at his school (with both sets of Grands!!) so P was home with the girls.  It was a perfect Indian Summer Night and, now that Miss A knows how to ride her bike, she and Miss M are outside ridding along whenever they can.

P was inside reading when Miss A comes in and tells him that he needs to come outside. "It will be well worth your time" she said.  So, outside P goes and she directs him to walk up the hill with her to watch her bike ride.  You see, she's now learned how to start at the top of the hill and ride all the way down the hill by herself without stopping. Y'all, its a big hill and this is only day four of no training wheels.  But she did it and without a doubt it was well worth P's time to watch.  You Go Girl!

The second incident was Thursday morning at the breakfast table. It was just Miss A and I as the rest of the crew leaves early.  I was going through our plan for the day and I asked her if she knew what day of the week it was.  She replied, "PE day."  Yes, it s the day you have gym class, but what "day "of the week is it really. "Well, it's Thursday." 

I asked her if she remembers what happens on Thursdays.  I have drop off at dance for M at 3:45 and then have to rush to Miss A's school for pickup at 3:55 which means I go through the drive up lane rather than park and exit the car to get her. It gives me about five extra minutes and I need every last one of them.

She told me she's knows that its "drive thru" day, but she doesn't like it one bit. She said she can't understand why Miss M can't get to dance even earlier or why I can't park and come get her no matter the time. I went on to explain that two weeks ago I did rush to pick her up, parked the car, and ran to the building only to "slide" thru the crossing path wipe out and scrape up my knee and elbow.

That's right she said, "it's all about you, don't forget I'm the one waiting and waiting for you!"  My that girl has moxie.  I said sorry Miss A, but its drive up for you.

Seriously people I could not make this up.

Kickin' Cancer's Bottom

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month; an irony not missed on our family as we prayed for  our friend Cole this week.  Sadly, Cole's family is not the only we know that has been touched by childhood cancer.  A dear friend lost her daughter five years ago to cancer. There are way too many families that can call that their "story."

Miss A's school in honor of CCAM was collecting "coins for cancer" all week and lets just say what was once a full jar of change is now nearly empty.  On Monday, Miss A said she had to take some coins to school for Cole.  Tuesday, she wanted to bring change in honor of Brooke, and the rest of the week it was all those little boys and girls at her favorite children's hospital.

Friday afternoon as a way to celebrate the great coin drive, the entire school walked to the nearby neighborhood park.  I had wanted to go just to take a few photos, but at Miss A's urging I walked with the kids and it was so worth it.  While I might have had on flip flop sandals, carrying a huge purse and camera, it was as if my burden was nothing in comparison to the families that are walking the road of childhood cancer.

Plus, I got to hold hands with my favorite first grader and a few of her little friends.  What a perfect way to end a week that had been a hard one on my heart.  It was aweaome to see these healthy fun loving kids honoring those who for now could not walk beside them.  They were in essence walking and raising money so that in the months and years ahead none of their classmates would be laying in a hospital instead of running the sidewalk.

Of course there were complaints about how "long" and "far" the walk to the park was and how difficult it was to walk the entire way.   Miss A even said I sure hope this cures Cole's Cancer as this has been a very long and tiring walk!  To pass the time, we decided to march and sing.

• "Hut two three four, kick cancer out the door"
• "Hut two three four, no more cancer anymore"
• "Hut two three four, no cancer here no more"

Of course the funniest was from a little girl who said she couldn't keep walking, it was too hot, too far and she was so very thirsty.  "Hut two three four, I can't take this anymore!"

While September might be over now, we'll be praying that all those effected by childhood cancer will feel our prayers and love all year through.