The Very Last Day

WE DID IT!!! We made it through this unperdictable year by staying in person learning all year except for a few weeks throughout the year that we had to do at home learning as per government regulations. I am so glad we "gambeled" and chose to do in person learning. Although as much as people say it was a gamble to do in person learning, we had no choice.. homeschooling isn't for us and we know it. I was so worried we would only make it to Christmas or Spring and then school would get shut down again like last year but it didn't and we are so grateful.

School is SO important for us. I mean, obviously for accademics, but also for social reasons and learning things like boundariers and personal space or how to "read the room" or help others around you that you might not be super close with. There are so many valuable and incredible lessons that are learned beyond the books and we know that our kids benefit from what happens within those walls at school. I probably feel so strongly about it because I love our school. Seriously, love it.

We of course wanted to put together some teacher gifts and cards. Bentley and Penny's class did a combined teacher gift so we just sent in money to pool together and then cards on the side with a little personal note from myself and each of the kids. Our principal is leaving as well so we also gave her a little notebook and a Tim Hortons card. We are going to miss her so much. The new principal has some pretty big shoes to fill.

This year flew by. The last day of school is always bittersweet. This year especially. We have grown to love our teachers and poor Penny was hit the hardest. She had THE SWEETEST grade one teacher. Mrs. Felske is a literal angel and loved Penny day in and day out. Penny couldn't help but run up to her and give her a big hug and I'm so glad I caught it with my camera. My heart melted.

Penny was crushed after school when we got home today. She cried and cried and said that she just didn't want to leave Mrs. Felske. I get it, she really is the best. Poor girl. She was excited to show me the little treat that her teacher put together for their class. (Notice her poor pink eyes from crying so much :( )

Penny was so upset about Mrs. Felske but I think it had someting to do with the next sad thing about the last day of school. Penny's best friend, Ariana, is leaving our school and going to a new school in the fall. Our hearts broke earlier this year when we heard that they were moving but we are determined to keep these two girlies together though dance and after school playdates. Ariana's Mom had these cute shirts made for the girls and Penny gave Ari a best friends necklace. They really will miss eachother so much.

As for Bentley. He was ALL smiles! He was so excited for Summer break and although he LOVED his teacher too, we recentley found out that next year, Mrs. Dowson will be teaching grade four! So regardless of if Bentley has her again or not, he will still see her all of the time so that made today such a happy day for him! His teacher gave them each a super cute little summer cup filled with reusable icecubes, koolaid and candy. She taught Bentley SO MUCH this year and he has had a wonderful year!

I was so happy to snap a photo of Carter and Mrs. Dixon too. Because of Covid this year Ive only seen her once in person super quickly and this will be a nice memory to have. Carter had a great year too. His two very best friends were in his class this year and it was so fun for them! Im so worried next year that Carter will be placed alone again. Every finger is crossed that maybe the three of them will be together agian. Carter has grown so much this year and continues to impress us. Grade 5 seemed like such a pivitol year. They just have more responsibility and accountability and they're no longer "little". I can't believe next year is his last year of elementary school.. seems so crazy to me!

We really weren't able to volunteer as parents this year but I did offer to do literally anything I was aloud to do. I miss volunteering and can't wait to get back to it next year! I was able to help with the snack cart once and I was able to take class photos for every class a few weeks ago too. It was so good for the soul to see my kiddos in their element. Carter's class made this cute little tea pot for me as a "thank you".

We sure are taking some incredible memories home with us from this past school year. In September Carter is off to Grade 6, Bentley is going to grade 4 and Penny will be in Grade 2! They are growing up so fast! They are all such great kids and we are so proud of how they handled this crazy unpredictable year.

Now! Summer started the second that bell rang! Straight from school we went to Flying Squirrel (a trampoline park) to celebrate one of Carter's best Friend's birthday. Talk about the perfect summer kick off!!

Tonight, I gave them our summer bucket list! I have been working on putting this together as a surprise. We plan to do all the big things too but sometimes the little things are just what the soul needs to feel connected so this summer bucket list is not extravagent, its simple and will make us connect and create lasting memories that Im sure we will all cherish.

I also got the idea to do little summer passports along with it. The kids each have thier own. In each of the passport pages there are little pictures that are the same as the bucket list. Once we do one of the activities, the kids can take a selfie or a picture of them and then print it on our little cannon Ivy printer and then stick it to the correct page in their passport. That way, at the end of the summer, they will have a book filled with awesome memories.

They were so excited to have their own bucketlist printout for their bedrooms and we can't wait to start do our first activity!

I am positive this summer will be one to remember. I am so happy to finally have the kids home and to spend all my spare time with them! So raise your slurpee to summer, here we go!