Wish

He didn't want a cake or presents. But we celebrated him anyway. Made burgers and got him a cold beer on a summer-like evening. Had a mini cake. Lanie wrote him a poem, and Erin wanted to gift him his favorite--vanilla. She got him a cookies-n-cream candy bar.

I laughed a little when we sang to him and wish time arrived. The girls both chimed in:

"Wish for American Girl dolls for us! Wish for American Girl dolls!"

(Secretly, I wished for a baby.)

Last day of K

end of kindergarten

first day of school

Lanie's headed to fifth grade, and Erin is going to first. But before that, it's the first day of summer vacation! We've got a date with friends today, and NO HOMEWORK! Ahead of me, my own gluttonous summer reading list, frisbee flying, pool splashing, cookouts, read-alouds in the field under a walnut tree, and day trips.

We'll still keep up with some light schooling stuff probably ... ok, maybe ... ish. I'll think about that--tomorrow. Piano recital this weekend, and dance recitals in June.

However, first things first.

So glad for this year.

I loved teaching kindergarten.

Loved. It.

Driving out of the parking lot, I remembered Lanie's end of kindergarten. And now it's Erin's turn. Window rolled down, I gave a wave to friends on the playground and chatted Nate's mom a bit. Then we just merged onto the big road to head off to more celebrations (Shane and his sister's birthday dinner). My kids were only thinking about freezer pops.

Hello, summer. 

Table talk

We went to an end-of-year performance last night at the co-op. Shane, Erin and I got our seats. A friend came over, "Can Sage sit with Erin?"

"Of course!"

Katie across the aisle saw us, and before I knew it, she's on my lap by her classmates.

"Where's Nate?" Erin asked. I got up to get him.

Nate and Katie on my lap. Erin and Sage to my side. Our nearly complete kindergarten class. Shane looked at me and smiled, and I can't help but think--see, I told you I wanted more kids!

After the performance, we were getting ready to go home and Shane took the girls to get cookies in the reception area.

A woman approached me. I had seen her in the sanctuary.

"Didn't you go to (the other co-op)?" she asked.

"Yes," I said. Brow furrowed. "You saw me?"

I served about eight times a year there, and didn't really hang around. I never expected that anyone would actually see me. I said as much, "Most of the time I feel like I'm invisible."

She looked sad for a moment. So I corrected, "No, really, it's ok. It's a superpower." (I later found out she was a psychiatrist. Great.)

Me, behind the scenes and comfortable in anonymity.

I told the story of that woman tonight at the dinner table.

"Do you want to be invisible?" Lanie asked.

Hmm. I'm not sure I ever thought about that.

One thousand gifts and still counting (4188-4210)

field fragrance
lunch with Anita
cookies gifted

her hugs
her time
her example
for every woman who has influenced me
and all who live by example (even the what-not-to-do's)

mother's day wishes and messages
an early morning greeting by Erin
sweet gifts from my kids
camera 3
the end of a Bible study

and new friendships made from it
a picnic to plan
and hope for a closer relationship with a sister
Chipotle for dinner
a picture of Shane, his sister and his mom

a friend to take Lanie overnight
thunderstorms
great, thought-provoking talks with Shane at the kitchen table
running into Amy at church
a playdate at Kellie's