First Day of Summer Vacation!

At times it felt like the school year would never end, but it finally did yesterday. All in all, it was a very good year. I had a great class. It was exciting, but also a little sad, to let them go. Since this was my first time teaching fifth grade, it was the first time I promoted a class on to middle school. Some of my students were very emotional saying goodbye - surprisingly they were boys! How precious is that? I will remember their tear-stained faces and the long hugs they gave me as a sendoff for a long time to come. Tender hearts...

When I woke up this morning, I expected to feel relaxed, but instead I felt apprehensive. I really want to make the most of our time this summer, and I guess I was afraid that I'd spend our first day in such a way that I'd doubt my ability to manage our time well. So, I started the day off with a quick prayer that I'd use our time in a way that glorified the Lord, and things seemed to fall into place after that.

We were up around seven, and ready to go by mid-morning. Our first stop was Gymboree to sign up for the Level 5 class, but I decided to have her attend the weekly music class, too. She's so musical! I can't wait to see how she is in that class.

After that, we did have to drop off some donations at our church's thrift shop, and take the car to the carwash. Alas, chores are a part of my summer plans. While the car was getting pampered, we spent a little while in Barnes & Noble purchasing some new books for Michaela with a gift certificate one of my students had given me yesterday. I found a board-book copy of The Little Engine that Could, and we just had to have that. Michaela likes it because it has trains, of course. I like it because I remember it from my childhood. So fun to read it together!

After a simple dinner, we made it to church for Wednesday night Bible study. Michaela has been staying awake well past the time I put her down, so I didn't feel badly for keeping her up late so that we could go to church. Some of the kids were conked out on mats when I picked her up, but she was still wide awake. As we walked out to the car, she told me, "Go home. Take nap." She fell asleep shortly after I put her to bed.

So, I feel like we spent our time fairly well today. 

The most "summery" part of the day was eating the first popsicle of the season outside on the lawn:

Sweetness!