End of School Party

On Saturday we had our End of the School Year Party at a beautiful park in Evanston. I think we'll be visiting the park all summer - the playground was so nice and fun for James and the other kiddies and it's right on the beach. It's just beautiful. I should have taken more photos. Photos - yes! My camera is fixed and back from Canon and it's working just perfectly again. Thank goodness :) We really spent the day playing and chatting with the other parents so Doug and I didn't take too many photos. I got one of James with Toni and one with Toni and Mary and that was about it. Lots of running around! Today was the last Monday of the school year. Today, walking down the stairs to his classroom, he held Elliott's hand down the stairs and while we were hanging up our jackets he asked her, "Kiss me Elliott." Elliott's Dad laughed and so did I. Then Kate walked in and James ran right over to her and gave her a big hug. he's going to miss his friends so much.

It's the last week. I'm sad. James is a little sad and he thinks that Toni and Mary will be his teachers next year too. I can't break it to him yet. I cannot believe he's going to be in the 3-6 program next year and that he'll be UPSTAIRS ... with the BIG kids. He'll be a big kid. My little baby boy. I'm already so emotional about just having so many days left with just James before the baby comes that it's hard for me to even wrap my mind around him growing up so quickly. Sigh. It goes so quickly. My little buddy. I'm going to miss our conversations in the car and at meals when it's just us two. Our walks through the park and at the playground - it's all going to change. I know it will be great for James to have a friend, a sibling to hang out with - I mean I can't imagine my life without my brother. I have so many wonderful memories of us together throughout our whole lives. Only a sibling can buddy up with your husband and somehow completely and utterly embarrass you but make you feel totally loved at the same time.

So many feelings surround this. That sounded Yoda-ish didn't it? Contemplate on this I must.

Here are the photos I managed to sneak in on Saturday. I'll be sure to take one on Friday for the last day of school so I can post his first day and last day photos. I'm sure I'll cry that perfect Mom mixture of happy and sad tears.