Saying GoodBye to First Grade
Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at 10:15PM I don't know where to begin...there are so many things I want to share! I want to say thank you, thank you so much, for all of the encouraging, kind, you-can-relate-to-my-disaster comments. You do not know what that did for me. It does help to know that not everyone out there has the pristine home that some are able to maintain.
If you haven't already, you should check out the solidarity displayed by my blog friends Mindee and The Lumberjack's Wife (Taylor)! Plus, they are very funny ladies whom you should go visit anyway!
And to give an update...there are no laundry mountains on my coffee table (and I'm not cheating by putting them on our bed, either!), and my dishes are already done for the night. The schoolroom floor is still completely visible, and the entryway tables are not cluttered with junk. It helps that school is out! No papers are coming home every day. And I have to tell you that Mike is the one who put the laundry away. He's sweet.
Now I would like to fill you in on what has been going on around here for the last week, besides Clean Sweep-Dallas Edition.
Last week was the final countdown for school and there were multiple activities that we went to or participated in. Where to start?!
The end of the school year brought the end of stitching. I was very excited about turning in my stitching basket, handing out the squares that the students have been working on so that they could take them home (parents are responsible for having them made into a quilt), and giving the teachers their quilts. If you remember a while back (if you've read for a little while) I hinted that I was working on something. That something was stitching squares for Christian's teacher and her assistant. I had a great time doing this...and once I was finished I took the squares to a quilter in town who made them into beautiful keepsake quilts.
These next pictures are for my mom...I know she wants to see the squares a bit closer. Anyone else feel free to look, too.
The squares were designed mainly based on unit studies or special events the class participated in. (The Texas square has a white top line, forming the lower northeastern side of the state...you can't really see it, but it's there, along with a star, just like the Texas flag, but in the shape of the state.)
I had so much fun stitching these squares. I also realized how tricky it can be...dealing with twisted thread, or even stitching my corner into the back (twice in the exact same place! I almost gave up at that point for the night that particular evening).
I was pleased with how the quilts turned out...the detail in the quilting is wonderful! It was a special moment to pass these along to Mrs. C. and Mrs. F. from their first grade class.
I like surprising people.
They liked the quilts, too!
The week included other events as well...there is always Field Day. Don't we all love Field Day? I'm not sure that's the right word, but I think the kids had fun.
If nothing else we got to laugh at with our children for a while, as we sweated off a couple of pounds.
There was also an end-of-the-year pool party that a family in Christian's class hosted for all of us.
That was fun, too. The kids jumped right in the water, they ate a little, and they also honored their teachers with special gifts.
One teacher received a tree for her balcony. The other teacher received a certificate for a tree to be planted in her yard. They loved this!
Christian's first grade was amazing. The school year was so wonderful...he learned so much, and did so much. They had experiences that, as seven-year-olds, they can't fully appreciate yet, but their parents do. I am sad to say good bye to Mrs. C. and Mrs. F. They are two very special women, and they run an amazing classroom. I think Christian will remember this year and the people he was with every day for a long time. A handful of them are staying at the same school next year, but many are moving on to another place. That is life. But for this year...they were such great friends.
Ahh! I'm going to cry!
Saying good bye to first grade wasn't all, though.
This same week we had back-to-back ball games.
Michaela got a hit! Very exciting!
Eliana did what she does best...any guesses?
To finish out the week, Christian also had two birthday parties to attend! It was a crazy seven days. But we had the weekend to recover, and now we are well on our way to adjusting to a summertime schedule. I'm hoping that translates into all three of my children sleeping until 9am every morning.
That may be wishful thinking on my part. But, we'll be at Grandma's soon, so I'll just send them to her in the mornings! I know she'll love it!
You guys (I feel like I should say,"Y'all". Should I? I grew up in Richmond, Virginia, but then I lived in New Jersey for almost six years...sometimes my speech pattern has an identity crisis. And every now and then I actually sound like I'm from Boston. Strange. And random, no?), thank you for stopping by here. It's a meandering kind of path (see the above parenthetical statement, if you need evidence of this fact)...but I'm so glad that you would choose to walk a ways with us. It means more than you can know. It is greatly appreciated and not taken lightly! It helps me recharge for the journey that lies ahead with each new day.
Reader Comments (10)
Great pictures, and those squares are really really neat!
I love the quilt! And field day...ah, that brings back memories...I always looked forward to that in elementary school :-) Such fun
awww, it sounds like 1st grade afforded many sweet memories! the quilt is adorable! love all the pictures! cheers to the start of summer!
Those quilts are so special. I'd love see a side by side comparison of your work and what the 1st graders did. ;)
I love your blog Christina. Thanks for doing it. And happy summer!
Love the quilt and all your summerly fun pictures! :)
Oh and I love all your comments, short or long. :) But I kind of prefer the long ones from you . . . it is like we are chatting! :)
Well, thanks for letting us in to walk along! And I'm totally in awe of that quilt - that stitching looks like it'd be impossible!
Beautiful quilt squares! You did a wonderful job. And let me guess...Eliana is best at looking incredibly adorable!!!
I love this post! Sounds like your kids have a fantastic school experiences.
Happy summer!
Elle Bee-you guessed correctly! ;)