Schools' Out

May 22nd was Sara's last day of Preschool class (at least until next year). It was a beautiful day and the school decided to host the last day of class at a nearby park and have a picnic. It turned out to be such a super fun day.

Ms. Stuart pictured below is Sara's teacher. Sara just adores her. Now I would like to think that not all teacher's say things like this; but Ms. Stuart pulled me aside at the beginning and talked about what a remarkable class this was for her this year. First of all Ms. Stuart has been with St. Mary's for over 20 years...WOW!!! She went on to describe how impressed she was in how close this class became to one another. How the kids would really work through problems and use "team work" to accomplish certain tasks and just how caring the kids were to one another. It was really amazing even to us as parents. Ms. Stuart says, many kids will develop close bonds with just one or two kids; but this class in her opinion was very well rounded and overall just a great group of kids.

Now when the kids return next year in the "4's" class it is really 50/50 chance as to who they will get as a teacher and "if" the class remains together or if they are spilt up. This is due to age, new enrollments, some people have to move, gender numbers and if there are apparent reasons to separate out certain groups. Thankfully, while at the picnic I ran into one of the administrative officers who was out most of the year due to having back surgery. Her and I had a lovely talk and of course I shared my recommendations as to where I would like Sara to go in addition to keeping her classmates together. So I have planted the seed and we will see how it goes. It also might make a difference that I will be volunteering to sit on their school board next year to help plan and organize the many school activities that go on throughout the year. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

(Sara & Ms. Stuart)

(Toby, Ethan, Sara & Brandon)

In getting back to events at the picnic. Besides running up and down the hill about a million and one times, the kids also went on a short nature hike to look at a swamp and all the cool things that live in it. After this short hike, we returned to a small courtyard area in which volunteers had released hundreds of lady bugs. The kids were given little plastic containers and were allowed to fill them up with as many ladybugs as they could catch. It will be no surprise to many that Sara scored the most and that she was the last one still looking for bugs. The ladybugs would later come home with us where would we release them in our garden. Of course, days later she makes sure to check the yard and see if she can find any. Too cute:)

(Sara hunting for Ladybugs)

So now that this year is officially over we have so much to look forward to in the fall to come. We are so excited to see what our little girl will explore in her next year of preschool.

Big thanks to St. Mary's Creative Playschool for making our first preschool experience a wonderful one.