End of the school year

When I was first pregnant with Maddy I came across a book called Let Me Hold You Longer  by Karen Kingsbury. It's a beautiful book based on the idea that we celebrate many 'firsts' in a child's life (first step, first word, first day of school...), but we often don't celebrate, or for the most part even know that it's a 'last' for other events (last nap, last time nursing, last time they want to cuddle in your lap). Here are a few lines from the book that may help convey what I mean better than I could say it myself:

 Long ago you came to me,

a miracle of first:

First smiles and teeth and baby steps,

a sunbeam on the burst

But one day you will move away

and leave to me your past,

And I will be left thinking of

a lifetime of your lasts...

The last time when you ran to me,

still small enough to hold.

The last time that you said you'd marry

me when you grew old

Precious, simple moments and

bright flashes from your past---

Would I have held on longer if

I'd known they were your last?

Anyway as the last day of preschool and Strong Start came, I started to think of this book again and it made me want to hold on longer. I know that you can't hold on forever, but in these times when you know it's the 'last', I want to try and savour/celebrate the moment.

 

This is Elisabeth. Ethan loves to see her at Strong Start and thinks that the school is her 'home'.

 On the last day, they had a potluck. Yum, yum!

Maddy's last day of preschool was a field to a 4Cats Splatter Party. Here is Maddy with one of her teacher's Kim.

 Maddy with Brenda. Another one of Maddy's teachers, Megan, was sick on the last day and we couldn't get a picture.

Each of the "graduates" were given a frame picture as a keepsake. Maddy is so proud of her 'gradulate' picture.

The kids are growing up so quickly. Just trying to live in the moment and enjoy every single one of them as they happen. Not just an easy feat for the 'planner and worrier' in me, but I'm trying.