More treats than tricks!

 Schaeffer was the 'counter' at school during circle time

 some of Schaeffer's friends from school

 patiently waiting for games to begin

 the beautiful girls of CLS 4 year old class

 all the kids of Mrs. Kern & Mrs. Kableman's class

 did someone say candy?!?

 the jack o'lantern the kids carved

 Schaeffer tearing it up in the bean bag toss

Rapunzel turned into sleeping beauty

 Great Grandma Jean & Schaeffer Jo

 GG reading SJ her Halloween card

Griffin & Schaeffer leaving for trick-or-treating in the neighborhood

It took Schaeffer many hours of deliberation to decide what she would dress as for Halloween. After much back-and-forth, she finally landed on her beloved Rapunzel (which was convenient for me, as we already had a Rapunzel costume in our dress up bin!). 

As you can tell, Schaeffer's teachers--against their better judgment--allowed me back into their classroom, and into close proximity to small children. Small children with limited sight lines due to large masks, and with significant issues walking due to the floor length hem line required to be a princess. 

Alas, if you hop me up on enough skittles, laffy taffy and nerds, even 4-year old Halloween games can be enjoyable. Or almost. 

Happy Halloween!

An apple a day--makes applesauce!

Schaeffer's teacher, Mrs. Kern, helping a student cut up the apples

 the kids waiting for a turn to peel their apple

 Schaeffer's friend Livvy peeling her
apple while SJ cheers her on

 SJ using her 'big muscles' to peel her apple

SJ cutting her apple into small pieces to
be cooked down into applesauce

For a brief time, when I was younger (translated: 12th grade), I thought I wanted to be a teacher. Thankfully, taking part in a student teaching co-op promptly changed my mind. There was far more paper work and details and math and spelling and children than I had initially realized--and decided that despite the really amazing schedule (read: summers off!), it just wasn't worth it. I am not cut out to be with children that are not biologically related to me. 

With that said, I must have had a momentary lapse of judgment when I agreed to be a 'room helper' for applesauce day. Schaeffer, her friend Livvy and I arrived, apples in hand, ready for the festivities to begin. I quickly realized that my puny little peeler would do little in fending off the masses of children, that that I should have in fact purchased an industrial strength and sized apple-corer-peeler with a built in child repellent, just for survival purposes. 

With that said, no one lost a digit, and I can't wait for the Halloween dress up party. 

CLS Field Trip to Love Creek

 Schaeffer Jo looking at the preying mantis

a stick bug

'Birthday Leader' day at school

 my sweet birthday girl matches

 the horrible beautiful front door

 her class even made her a birthday tiara!

 "just for her!"

princess & the pea in her pile of pillows

Back to school!

 Ta-Dah! 

 mom! no more pictures!

 it's official: look at the backpack. 

 obviously heartbroken.

 putting her bag and headband into her locker

 can't quite reach

 ok, she's goin' in.

 SJ handing in her "I am special" packet

 Yes, Schaeffer is one in the middle with dark brown hair

school: the best nap-prep around. 

How many first days of school do you have before they loose their novelty? I love the first days of school. I love the anticipation, I love how they're all chock full of opportunity and I love nervousness in pit of the stomach. I love the closet full of tag-on clothes. I love the new friends and old friends revisited. 

I love it all. It almost makes me wish I was back in school. Especially if I got that closet. 

Transitions

Schaeffer got Mrs. Wodarczyk to hoola hoop!

She did great!

Now it's Mrs. Wanning's turn!

Schaeffer Jo made chalkboard planters for her teachers

to say thank you for their hard work this year

Schaeffer Jo couldn't wait to bust into the calk!

Today, with much anticipation, Schaeffer and I hosted her preschool teachers for an afternoon tea and lunch party.

It's funny how even when all outward circumstances align: the weather was beautiful, the food tasty, the conversation flowing; there was still a sadness in my heart. What began as a tumultuous school year--one riddled with uncertainty, the year couldn't have ended more sweetly. I'm not sure when the shift in the tide began, but as Schaeffer began to thrive in school, I began to become attached to her teachers (instead of being attached to my 2-1/2 hours of freedom).

As we run into the open arms of summer--I know that another year of school is waiting just beyond reach. I also know that there is a set of teachers that have some awfully big shoes to fill--both in the classroom and in our hearts.

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic!

If you go out in the woods today

You're sure of a big surprise.

If you go out in the woods today

You'd better go in disguise.

For every bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain, because

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

If you go out in the woods today,

You'd better not go alone.

It's lovely out in the woods today,

But safer to stay at home.

For every bear that ever there was

Will gather there for certain, because

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic

Every teddy bear, that's been good

Is sure of a treat today

There's lots of wonderful things to eat

And wonderful games to play

Beneath the trees, where nobody sees

They'll hide and seek as long as they please

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic

Using her 'spy-er'

Big hugs for Schaeffer's teacher, Mrs. Wodarczyk

Playing the piano--with her feet!

Peek!

A sweet relationship with Mrs. Wanning

Hoola Hoop

Smile, GG!

(looks like Schaeffer's got somewhere to be-checking her watch)

Last hugs with her teachers

"I'm big foot!"

Schaeffer Jo's preschool class celebrated the end of their school year with a teddy bear picnic. Griffin and Great Grandma Jean had a wonderful time watching SJ interact with her classmates and teachers.

The rain was no damper on the fun, the kids had a great time with all the fun stations that were set up across the gym. What a great capstone to a wonderful school year!