Bittersweet Endings

Today was a great day and a little sad too. Definitely a bittersweet one.

It started this morning when I gathered the things that I needed to take John Michael to his last day of pre-school and his last day at Hilldale. I am so proud of how much he has grown and how amazing he truly is. I cannot believe that he is headed to Kindergarten though, it seems like only a few days ago I was dropping Danny off for his first day. Now Danny is in 2nd grade and my baby a kindergartner. WOW! Seeing Mrs. Hays this morning I knew that it would be a hard day, but I was determined to stay strong. We enjoyed a fun morning of field day type activities followed by popcorn and the snow cone truck. Then inside for hot dogs and chips and well then the goodbyes. I gave Mrs. Hays her gift from the class. This memory book is so much fun for me to do and it means a lot to me and to the teachers. Mrs. Hays also gives all of her students memory books, these are so heartfelt and meaningful. I am not sure that I can find enough words to describe how much they have meant to me through the years, but this one was even more special as it is my last. When John Michael and I came home I really looked at it and took the time to appreciate the work and care that she puts into them all.

We had to get Danny and then get homework completed before the second round began.

Danny got ready for his last baseball game of the season and John Michael got ready to go sing at the 5K Graduation at Hilldale. This helped to maintain my tears, I knew that we were going back at least once. Brandon took Danny and John Micheal and I headed to Hilldale for the last time as a parent and student. When we go back it will just be as visitors. I loved the fact that they all matched, even the teachers! It was such a special Graduation ceremony for the 5K and First Grade they are ready for you. The K4 classes sang great and this is definitely one proud momma! Then the goodbyes came. I had to say goodbye to people that have been such a huge part of my family. I consider these people more than teachers, they are friends, they are a part of who my children will become and for that I am and always will be bonded to them. I told them that I want to get together and I mean it! This was not just talk it was from my heart. I also told them I would come up and photograph for them anytime that they need it! Just give me the dates and I will add it to my calender. There are parents who I have known and grown close to and I will miss. We will have to get our kids together so that they can play and stay in touch and so that we can stay close. This I also mean from the bottom of my heart!

We left the school, and once I regained composure I dropped John Michael off at my mom's because he really wanted to spend the night and I headed to Danny's game.

Danny's team won their game and they played great, at least the 2 and a half innings I saw. I cannot believe that baseball is over. I truly enjoy spending time at the park and getting to know other people. We will work with our catching, hitting and running and maybe next year we will make all stars and the season will continue even longer.

Well, Brandon is home and we are going to get Danny in the bed and then head to bed ourselves. I am exhausted. Today was definitely one with so many reasons to celebrate and many tears fell. Before I go to bed I will remember each of you in my prayers. Please do not ever take that moment that you have for granted or the people who are in that moment. While there are many to be had these are the memories and the people that we keep in our hearts forever!

Just Another Manic Monday...

Come on sing with me! I know you want to.

So we were on our way to St. Francis this morning when Danny starts to have a horrible asthma attack. Of everything the baby got from me why was this the gene that was passed along. Anyway, I let him stay home because I know that it was miserable, plus it was a really bad one that ended in him throwing up. He laid around and is much better. Thanks to all his asthma meds. Come on weather stay warm and work with me!

John Michael went to school and had a great day. Today was his last full day of school. I did not realize how sad I was until he walked out with his bag full of all the end of the year stuff. The papers that they did not do and his towel, crayons, markers, etc.

He has been so funny tonight working on his "homework" as he has decided. I am just glad that he it finally at a place that he enjoys working hard.

Well, Danny is asleep and John Michael needs to be. While I know that this is short I also wanted to make certain that I made it back to being on schedule! YAY! I needed a definite positive. There is a lot that I plan to do this summer and getting organized is definitely one of them. This was a start!

I also have Mrs. Hayes (2nd grade) gift ready and I will send it to be printed tomorrow. I want to double check it tomorrow with fresh eyes!

Before I go to bed I will make sure to remember you all in my prayers. I will also be praying for the warmer temperatures to come on back. I am not looking forward to the ballpark with this chill in the air! Good night and sweet dreams to you all!

Thursday Baseball

Well, I managed to get a day behind again on my blog. Sorry about that but I will catch up! Here is my yesterday.

It was John Michael's last Thursday at school. He was very excited because that meant the last treasure day and he got to eat his candy in class. He is such a funny boy.

Both boys had baseball games. John Michael's team played great, they did not win, but they played so well. The score was 15--6. I was so proud of them all. We had one little boy get hurt, and I hope he is okay. I know his little thumb is black and blue. I do not like it when they get hurt.

Danny's team won. The coach let the mom's coach which was a lot of fun. Me and one other mom switched coaching first. Cale still pitched! YAY! I was really proud of all the boys. Danny has become a wall out there at the cather's position and I am so proud of him.

Well, I know that this is short, but I am behind and so tired.

John Michael is 5

So today my baby boy turned 5 years old. I cannot believe it! It does not seem like five years has gone by since that sweet newborn cry surged through the house in the middle of the night, since I changed those tiny diapers. It seems like yesterday I was convinced he would be headed to high school in diapers because he did not want to use a potty. I thought the pacifier was going to be stashed in his pillow case for college, because he loved it. The waddle walk does not seem like years ago, yet now he can run as fast as lightening. He is almost done with pre-school and is headed to kindergarten this fall. He plays baseball and cannot wait to add soccer and chess to his after school activities. Five years seems like a long time, but in all honesty if you blink it is gone and all I have is amazing memories and some great pictures!

We had a great day. This morning he woke up in the best of the moods. He wanted Cheese Whiz and Chicken Biscuit Crackers for breakfast so that is what the boys had. I do not think I could stomach that before 7 am. Brandon took a half a day at work so was able to surprise him when we picked him up from school. He is so used to it just being mom. He took blue and yellow batman cupcakes to school, and he was blue after school. I love icing dye. It was so cute. Danny took a blue one for snack and he even had a blue mouth after school. He was quite surprised to have mom and dad there on a Wednesday too! We went to Party City to get goody bags and just random party supplies for this weekend. Books-A-Million was added to the stops and he got a Super Mario Brothers Yahtzee game and Danny got a new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book. Dinner at Cici's was the next stop where the boys spent abut $15 in the games. He wanted desert at Logan's with a Yee-Haw and he got it. He even had a surprise visitor, his Aunt B and her friend Katie! He loved it. They even brought him a few surprises, including a balloon which he loves! Now if we could get him to sleep. He has had a bath and yet he will not give it up, and momma and daddy are ready to go to bed! I guess the sugar high is still in effect. I am just thankful for an amazing day with my family. I am also very thankful that John Michael had "the best birthday day ever." It made my day when he told me that!

Well, it is definitely not before 9, in fact we are creeping up on 11, but a day like today was well worth a late night! Before I go to bed I will remember all of my friends and family in my prayers. I hope that you remember what a gift each day is that is why we refer to it as the present. Cherish the little things and always hold onto all of the memories!