Last day of school

 Full disclosure:

These photos were not taken on the last day of school.

As a matter of fact, I'm currently the only chump who is still going to school until the last day!  How lame-o is that?

Gabriel didn't go to school on the last day.  There were no exams, no books, no backpacks.  All they do is watch movies.  He can do that at home, plus I don't have to pack him a lunch.  Win for all.

Gabe has had a good year.  He learned to play the guitar, thrived in his classes, and has some cute friends that he sits with at lunch.  They talk about games and keep out of trouble.  Middle School was a big deal for him, but honestly I think it was a bigger deal for me.  My last baby grown up.  No more elementary, no more craft projects and parades. I worried for him in the same way I worried for Charlotte and Oliver.  And just like C&O, he was just fine.

Oliver didn't attend the last three days, neither did Charlotte.  In fact, they didn't even take attendance the last few days.  According to my children the teachers went so far as to use the language "Please don't come".  Legally I don't think they're supposed to say that.  Olls has had a bumpy year.  Lots of misunderstandings, frustrations, and visits to the dean.  Lots of opportunity for growth.

It's been a big year for Char-Char. Lots of learning how to juggle, do a million things, and keep going in spite of health setbacks, jerks at school, and overwhelming pressure.  Truth be told, I would never want to be a teen in today's world. Navigating it seems impossible to me. Charlotte has done well this year leading her flutes, enjoying marching season, testing, and looking forward to Senior year.

My three musketeers

After school we headed to Bruster's.  We don't always go to Bruster's, but we almost always go to Bruster's, because they have my favorite ice cream (sometimes), and I usually bully my family into choosing it instead of the many other ice cream places we frequent.

This year we left the dog at home, because he's a menace.  It was a big party at Bruster's, they even had a guy there doing balloon animals. I guess we aren't the only ones that do ice cream on the last day of school.

I like to ask my kids during ice cream what their favorite part of the year was.  For the first time ever, the boys had nothing to say.  Literally nothing.  They could not think of a single happy thing at school during the year, and that is so depressing.

Charlotte said her favorite thing was sitting with Ms Lewis in her class.  They formed a special bond this year, and some of her favorite memories were with her.  In these photos Charlotte is having a blush moment because there was a cute boy working, and we kept going to visit him asking for lids.  The boy teasing was at it's peak, and I loved it. (so did she)

...and here's me and Davey.

There's so much to do this summer.  So much to accomplish.

What I really want to do is hibernate for two months.

But I can't.

Because I'm not a bear.