Last night I gave my last final of the semester.  And yesterday was H’s last day at his school, as they closed their doors forever.  His teachers had decorated the classroom with streamers and balloons, and they had lots of fun things planned for their last day.  They had created individual t-shirts for each of the kids, with personalized messages from all of the teachers.  There was a mural hanging on the wall.  It read “We will miss you all!!!!” All of the children’s handprints adorned the mural, along with pictures of the kids smiling and playing with each other.  When I went to pick him up in the evening, the children’s individual bins had been emptied of their contents.  Their coat hooks were bare, aside from the decorative name labels above each hook.  I gave my hugs and thank-yous to the teachers, and then lost it completely. I’m not a public cryer, but for some reason, the little dry erase board with the list of the children’s last naps, really made my heart catch.  There is no other place I would have left H at.  He was only 14 months old when he started at that school.  He went there for the majority of the past year and a half, aside from last summer and any other days when I would decide I needed a day at home with him.  It was hard to leave him there on the very first day—and the second and third.  But I think that leaving his daycare altogether was harder. He loved going there, and his teachers loved him so much.  I wish them all the best as they move on with the next chapter of their lives.  Holden knew the end was coming for his school, but I still don’t think he realizes what that means.  He made so many friends there, and I still don’t think he understands he won’t be seeing his beloved Keeley anymore, who he claims to love “very much.”

After picking H up from school, we drove into town to pick R up from work (my car is still undriveable, long story), then we went to  my school to administer a final exam at 6PM.  On a Friday.  Luckily, the students were in and out in 20 minutes—I had them do a mock interview exercise as their final!  Holden got to meet some of my students, and that was really fun.  I got lots of thanks and appreciative comments from my students, which was unexpected, but SO NICE to hear.  I felt like this last week was a great way to end a very tough year—the students really DID appreciate what I did for them.  It was such a nice feeling—but I also felt a little sad that I’ll be losing all of my advisees.  I told them to keep in touch with me since I will be an adjunct faculty member next year, and I’ll be on the college e-mail system.  I like keeping up with where my favorite students go.

Once the final was wrapped up, our little family headed to the waterfront in Burlington.  We’ve had MASSIVE flooding throughout the state.  With 125 inches of snow this winter, plus heavy rains this spring, the lakes and rivers are inundated with water.  The waterfront area is underwater:

After assessing the flooding damage at the waterfront, we headed to Church Street and sat outside (it was cold!) and had burgers and beer.  Holden had chips and guacamole for dinner.  Nutritious.  He was happy and smiling, and it was a good end to an emotional day, and it was a solid beginning for all of the wonderful new things to come.