the last day of school

The emotional jolt I felt this morning was unexpected....it was the beginning of the last last of school.....the morning.....not the end.....

and yet...it sunk in that it was the last time these three would be together....heading off to school....together.....

the bus pulled up......

pulled away.....and the tears fell.....it hurt my heart to think that this was it....the end of this.

I pulled my self together and got my summer treats ready for my teachers....monogrammed cover ups and my favorite SPF Baby Lips......

I headed to school and let the firsties present a bouquet...one flower at a time ....to Ms. Spenlau

and then did the same for Rollin' 3rd grade class for Mrs. Noon

and then I waited in the hall for the 5th graders to arrive for their annual Hall Walk...their last goodbye to Goshen......

 When I saw them...the first glimpse...it was Riggs and Ben leading the way...little ones reaching up giving them fives...everyone was so excited!

 I was flooded with every memory of Riggs in these hallways.....so many come to mind....kindergarten Derby parade.....heading to his first mile run....going to the book fair....waiting for him for lunch.....and I was teary as my hand touched his for my high five to him....our hands touched....our eyes locked....I cried....he smiled....and he passed by...moving right along with the wave of his class.....

it's just how it goes....they move on even though you want them to stay...to linger.....they move on....

 Back in his class they said their final goodbyes....and I headed home to get my water balloons ready for our annual bus stop water balloon fight!

The bus came soon enough....and my 6th grader stepped off the bus...followed by my 4th grader and my 2nd grader.....

 and the water balloon fun began!

 followed by shaving cream......

Hello Summer!

 We are so glad you are here!

5th Grade Graduation for Riggs

Seriously this is happening. I am taking pictures on my front porch of my little boy who is about to go graduate from 5th grade. We are closing the book on elementary school and  his time as a Goshen Gator. It's hard on a Moma....I feel like I am loosing him...but in the same breath I feel like I am getting to see exactly who he is...like I am discovering him all over again. We talk about life and the world...make plans....share opinions...and a little thing called respect is now a big part of what defines us....and that respect in a two way street for sure. I am so in love with him...my sweet, handsome boy who has raw emotions and a sense of humor that I adore.But still....I can't believe this is happening today. 

But it is......

Taylor Riggs Hardy is graduating from the 5th grade at Goshen Elementary

As he stood there with his class he seemed so big to me all of us sudden...all these kids dressed like little adults...

and yet so little....

as he got nervous about going up in front of everyone to get his diploma......

they all seemed a little unsure......

But they all did it.....

He went up and did it and graduated from Goshen Elementary.

Afterward we celebrated in the cafeteria with doughnuts and friendship and I was so happy I was able to help plan this celebration for these amazing kids!

One thing for sure..Riggs is blessed with friendship. He loves his friends and I love that they have each other for their new adventures in Middle School.

We were all so proud of Riggs and happy to be there to celebrate with him!

In a blink the graduation was over.....and we continued the fun with Kona Ice....

a picnic lunch......

and time to hang out and sign yearbooks.......

It was a great day! Full of mixed emotions for me..there were beaming smiles and times with teary eyes but a great day for sure! I am so thankful we are headed to the Smokies for the weekend so I can focus on that and not the heaviness in my heart. Smokies here we come!

Camp Hi Ho

I have loved being part of the PTA 5th grade celebration committee! I love being a part of the special events for them. This year we decided to take them to camp Hi Ho for the day as their celebration trip.

It was the perfect place and the perfect trip! They loved the animals.....

the boats......

the fishing.....

the swing.....

but mostly they loved hanging with their friends.....laughing...talking and relaxing!

It was a day.....to just be a kid.....a little kid...outside.....having fun......

this is the age where in some ways he is so big.....and sometimes he still seems so little

It was a wonderful day and I am so glad I was able to be a part of it!

I feel so blessed to be able to watch these moments...listen to the laughter...see the smiles....

It's fleeting.....and priceless.....and amazing all at once!

Happy Camp Hi HO!