The last day of school, ever

Yesterday John ended his 11 1/2 year long school career rather unceremoniously.

We got up, fed the kids breakfast and carted them off to school.  When it was time to take Nathan to school, we accompanied him to class so that we could deliver some un-birthday chocolate chip cookies and bags of candy, and his class could sing happy birthday to him (he was feeling left out because he has a July birthday, and school is not in session in July).



Nathan and the best kindergarten teacher ever, Mrs. Moran



Then we took Yummy and went to the beach in Winnetka.  It was a little cool, so I enjoyed the warmth of the sun-baked sand on my feet, while John and Will threw rocks into the lake.  We talked of Chicago, how our time here has rocketed by, and how we will miss it.  Terribly, in fact.  When you  move as often as we have, it has a harsh way of making you realize how fleeting time is.  I have learned that I have to enjoy every minute of every day that I have in a certain place, because then its gone.  And we are gone, and in a new place.

Anyway, then we went home.  Yummers napped while John studied for his last final and I packed up the boys' Legos.  When the kiddos came home from school, they played with the neighbors for hours, the girls playing American Girl and the boys hockey in the driveway.  I picked up pizza for dinner because Isaac had missed his orchestra party at lunch time (he forgot about it, boooo), and was heartbroken.

Then John went and took his final.  Two hours later he was home. 

And he was finished.  No more school.  Ever.

John does not love school, but he does love the Lord, and he has done what he felt Heavenly Father wanted him to do.  It has taken a lot of sacrifice and even more hard work.  I am so proud of him.