is it the end already?!

This is the first time in 22 years that I haven't been counting down the days until the end of school. This is the first time in 22 years that I have not been either a student or a teacher. It is a weird feeling. I have lived my life based on a school schedule for so long. I definitely don't miss grading papers, lesson planning, sitting in meeting after meeting, or dealing with any of the difficult parents, but in all honesty, I totally miss the kids. That's why I love that we live here and that we live across the street from the school. I can still see the kids and be involved in other ways without having to deal with all of the not-so-fun things that I don't miss.

The end of a school year means lots of "end of the year" activities in any school. We have been to the middle and high school music programs, and last night I was at the elementary school music program. We went to the spring play, and tonight we were at the awards ceremony. ICSB also had their farewell picnic today, complete with hot dogs and ice cream, water balloons, and various other things. Being part of a small school means that 1st-12th grades do lots of these things together. It's really fun. Upcoming events still include staff things as well as graduation. Our nights are becoming very full, but being the people person that I am, I am enjoying it!

Oh, and yearbooks were handed out today. I was impressed with how well they did in putting it together. It's huge, especially for being a small school! It was fun to browse through. I was included on the second grade page, even though I only taught until Thanksgiving. My favorite are the quotes they have in the book...

"We miss you and love you so much Mrs. Yaiko!" -- 2nd grade girls

But my all time favorite...

"You're really thin Mrs. Yaiko!" -- 2nd grade boys

HA HA! They had only ever seen me pregnant. I got here at the start of my third trimester, and although I never really felt that I was enormous, it is funny to see someone their normal size after only ever seeing them with a belly. The first time I saw them, Seth (my student, not my son!) ran up and told me how skinny I was. It just cracked me up and completely made my day! They couldn't believe that they could get their arms around me for hugs and everything. Anyway, reading that in the yearbook just made me laugh. Oh how I miss those kiddos!