It's the End of an Era

When Queen B was a freshman and asked if she could have a slip-n-slide party at the house on the last day of school, we had no idea that it would become an annual tradition. But, become a tradition it did.

Today, the Man-Cub hosted our last end-of-school slip-n-slide at the house, and, this may (or may not) have been the event that finally tipped me into "oh, woe is me, mah babies are all grown up!" territory (ok, it totally was). It's hard to say goodbye to an event that has brought so much joy, not just to my children, but to their friends (and me! Don't forget me!).

I have to say, though, they went out with a bang; two out of three inflatable hamster balls were the casualties, but, they were the only casualties, so, our perfect safety record remains intact (thank you, lord!).

The neighborhood is going to be a lot quieter this time next year.

The Last Dance

The seniors gathered together last night for their graduation party, the last "official" event that they would attend as a class. It was bittersweet, as you may imagine.

It was also exhausting for the parents who pulled it all together, from the initial planning way back in the fall, to the final cleanup. I speak as one of those (very tired) parents.

I am tired, y'all (very tired).

But, it was so worth it! Watching the kids ooh and ahh over the S'mores and Candy Bar that I put together made it worth it...

...hearing the peals of laughter echoing off the mountains surrounding the golf course as they competed frantically in the Minute-to-Win-It games that the entertainment committee put together made it worth it...

...spending time with these kids that I have grown to love like my own made it worth it...

...and, the best part is, I got to do it with some of the best parents that I know...

Totally worth the sore feet, aching back, blinding migraine, exhaustion, and dehydration.

Totally.

What a ride this has been, and, what a privilege it has been to catch it all on film. Well, in digital format. What the hell, you know what I mean.