I’ve titled this post ‘Holiday weekend recap’ because I’ve been trying to write it since Monday afternoon, but when life is busy and fun, it’s hard to jump on the blog and write. Starting with last Friday, I had a blessed Memorial Day weekend full of family time and memory making.
Last Friday my baby boy graduated from preschool. The week leading up to his graduation was emotional. One or both of the boys have attended the same preschool for five solid years, so our entire family is very attached to the school, the teachers and the director. And not only that, but my mom was also very attached to the school. When I was still working outside the home, my mom picked up Case every Tuesday and Thursday. After picking him up, the two of them would go to the library, get ice cream or go to our house and play. Then she would get our older son off the bus at 3:00 pm. It was a weekly ritual to have Grandma B as part of our lives on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so it’s been a very hard year without her presence.
I dedicated my most recent newspaper column to my sweet little graduate. I know one day he and I can both read the article and smile (and probably cry) thinking about that milestone. In my mind, preschool graduation is huge because it’s the very first one. Before kindergarten graduation or fifth grade graduation or eighth grade graduation and before earning high school and college diplomas, we graduate from preschool. It’s a pivotal life event for sure. Case is beyond ready for big boy school. I’m just not sure I am.
On Saturday, I flew to DC to visit my sister and her family. Before last weekend, we hadn’t seen one another since the end of January, which was entirely too long. She and I have always been very close and ever since my mom passed, the need for her and I to be together has grown even more paramount. My little niece, Maddie, has grown leaps and bounds since I saw her last. Her hair is long enough for a pony-tail, she can walk the dog and now talks in complete sentences. She’s growing up right in front of my very eyes. She and I had so much fun together this past weekend. Hearing her little voice say, “Suzy! Suzy! Come on!” is the cutest thing in the world. Luckily, we have another trip planned at the end of June for her two-year old birthday party. This time the boys will come also. It’s always easier to say good-bye when the next trip is already planned.
While I traveled to DC, the boys stayed in North Carolina and spent the weekend with Daddy and my in-laws. They had a ball hiking, swimming and relaxing. It’s always hard to be away from them, but it makes me feel better when they’re having their own fun time.
With Case out of preschool and Brooks only having seven days of school left, it already pretty much feels like summer vacation. We have several summer programs, camps and trips planned, but other that, the boys and I will be enjoying some lazy days at the pool, time outside tending the garden, campfires and game nights with friends.
I have a number of work projects going on about which I’m super excited, so I need to find a way to be productive both as a professional and as a parent. I can do it, but it will take some planning and good sleep. If I get good sleep, I can get up really early and work while the littles peacefully snooze. The early morning is my favorite time of day to work. I just need to make sure it actually happens.
I hope you and yours had a nice holiday weekend as well and are trucking right along through the week. I cannot believe it’s June already. I swear, the days just fly by way too fast.
Embrace the wonder of each day, my friends. Happy Wednesday!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
So glad you had a good weekend!
Congrats on your pre-school graduate!! Your article in the paper was so good and that photo was incredible.