May 21, 2009

Guess who was delighted that today was the last day of school?

Grace couldn't have been more thrilled, though when I told her she wouldn't be seeing her teachers this summer and next year would be in a new class, she said "but I'll miss them!"

Ready for a Sunrise, Sunset moment?
The changes are subtle and striking, I think. It doesn't feel like much time has passed since the start of the school year in some ways but we've all come a long way.

We had so much fun singing Crawdad Hole and laughing on the way in. Then there was a final goodbye kiss for the year.

Miss Colleen was there for drop off, just like on the first day.

They are crazy about each other.

Then Suki, Kate and I were off for a whirlwind of errands. Here we're waiting for Babies R Us to open in a few minutes.

Then it was off to Toys R Us for what Babies R Us didn't have.

Then it was off to the gas station and then for an oil change. Suki was mighty wary of the man sitting in the front seat turning the car on and off during some tests.

Kate played a fun telephone game with me, where we each pretended to talk on the cell phone and then pass it back and forth.

One last shot of Grace getting into line at the playground.

Her butterfly bubble wand from Miss Carolyn.

Then we shared a picnic lunch with friends at our favorite park.

Even Kate was excited about it. Not so much here, but believe me, she was.

Well. And then there was the actual playing at the playground, which was fine and fun at first but then while I was back under the picnic pavilion I turned to see Grace approaching a girl on the riding duck. She's always just gone up to politely ask for a turn before, but this time she walked up and gave the poor girl a kind of nudging push. She didn't get her turn on the duck, she did make an apology to the tearful girl, and we went home shortly after. This is a weird day, the last day of school and I know there's plenty simmering under the surface with Grace. Still, it seemed like time for a little chill out time with Max and Ruby.

Happy together.

A little illustration in the improvement in Grace's coloring skills.

And a comparison of her self portraits.

And her year end report card. I am so proud of my sweet pea.