Aveda Child's Garden

When Luke was 2 1/2 it became time for him to attend a real preschool in addition to his loving care that he had been getting so far from his Granny.  Lucky for us, Aveda had room and I was thrilled!  Since Paige attended and Grandma of course worked there, we are so comfortable with their incredible care and teaching.  I tried and tried to find a spot there for Quinn but it just never worked out, I guess 2 out of 3 attending at a center reserved only for employees isn't too bad?

 

Like I said, Aveda was such an easy choice and Luke did so well there.  And he was able to stay there until he turned four, so for nearly a year and a half.  I know we will both miss it. On Luke's last day emotions were high, his teacher Kamaria was so sweet and stayed strong so I could too...Luke was oblivious.  It sounds crazy, but this was my last baby, moving on from a wonderful place that he had simply outgrown.  We knew it was time, but it was still hard.  A few days after we left, Kamaria shared with me a few pictures she took of Luke at school and I am so happy that she did.

 

 

Kamaria, Luke's teacher.

 Lorie Dahlheimer, the director.

 

 

Trick-or-treating on Halloween with the employees.

End of an Era

Today is June 8th, 2017 and it is the last day that my kids will attend Turtle Lake Elementary.  Bittersweet to say the least.  It feels like yesterday that Paige started kindergarten, and today she has completed 5th grade and will be moving on to middle school in the Fall.  If that isn't a big enough of a transition on its own, we are also moving to Ham Lake this Summer so a new school district all together. There are so many emotions, at least for me.  I think Paige feels them too. 

Quinn has attended Turtle Lake for only one year since his kindergarten was at the Snail Lake Kindergarten Center...his roots don't run quite as deep.  I asked him if he was excited for today or sad.  He said he was sad because he wished school was already done for the Summer.  Well then.

I volunteered today at the school to help in the 5th grade fun day and final send off.  In fact I have to leave again in just a few minutes so I can see the entire school clap them out.  I guess that all of the children and staff from all of the grades and departments step into the hall and applaud the 5th graders as they parade the school for the final time as 5th graders.  I honestly am not sure I can handle it but I am going to go.  It is good to feel all of this, its just so important.

I am quite emotional about today, it really caught me off guard.  I just came across this little photo in my Facebook feed of Paige's last day of Kindergarten.  She is still the same kid, yet so very different.

 

I was limited today at the photos that I could take due to the district photo policy but I was able to take a few to capture some memories for Paige.  The school did an excellent job of making these kids feel special and celebrate their accomplishments.  Here are a few of the photos from the gym, the PTA and parent volunteers did a great job decorating for the beach bash theme!

 

 

Yearbook signing with her friend, Kate.

 

Tug-o-war!!!

 A quick selfie with me before my time was up.

 

Now it's time to go so I can get to the school in time to cry some more, the final clap out.

 

To be continued....