And That's a Wrap!

After the strangest and most unexpected school year, school is finally and officially dismissed for the summer! I'm pretty sure I've never been so excited for school to be out in all my life!

I was so hopeful and excited for this year. While I didn't love the thought of my babies starting school, they were only there about three hours a day. That proved to be great for them and me! It really eased them into the whole school thing, and still gave us lots of time to spend together during the days. It also gave me time to run a quick errand like get my hair cut or teeth cleaned, volunteer in Bren's classroom, volunteer with PTO, or knock out household chores. And some days - although not very often - I just sat in the quiet and enjoyed the down time. 

Having sick kids for weeks in the fall definitely threw a kink in some of that, but overall it was the perfect arrangement for this year. I loved being more involved in the kids' classrooms and more present in the school building. It was what I had always wanted. I hadn't had this kind of flexibility in a decade, and I was thoroughly enjoying it!

Then, everything got turned upside down. Everything came to a sudden and abrupt halt, and we were left trying to pick up the pieces of the school year. Distance learning was a disaster, and emotions were high. The kids missed school, their friends, and their teachers. We missed our routine, the extra-curriculars, and our school community. 

So when I say that we are thrilled to be finished with distance learning and this disaster of a school year, it's true. We are elated to leave distance learning in the dust! At the same time, however, things feel incomplete. With no good-bye hugs or end-of-the-year programs or little graduation ceremonies, it feels like everything was just left hanging. It was all so unexpected . . . we had no idea that March 13th would be the last time the kids would enter the school building for the year. Everything was just left like kids and teachers would be returning shortly. It is a strange feeling, to be sure.

Even though everything feels unfinished, I wanted to capture my kids on the last day of school just like I always do. It's amazing how much they grow in one school year, and this year that seems even more evident to me. One thing is for sure, I am thankful to have had this time with my babies, even if it's what we never could have predicted!

Brecklyn on the last day of Pre-K

Brooke on the last day of Pre-K

My sweet twinbies 💗💜

Brenson on the last day of 2nd grade

Brianna on the last day of 4th grade

Together, we survived the craziest school year we've experienced yet! Through adversity and startling challenges, these kids persevered. They rolled with the changes, and we even had a little fun along the way. 

This season has taught us more than ever how much we don't know what the future holds. We certainly didn't know we'd be ending the school year like this, but as we say good-bye to pre-k, second, and fourth grade, we are grateful for the journey behind and hopeful for the journey ahead.