Kicking Off the Summer

The last few weeks have been a flurry of activity.  In my last post, I complained about some of the difficult things we've been dealing with, but we have had some really great moments, as well.

Two weeks ago, Brennan finished kindergarten.  I can't believe my little boy is done with his first year of school.

Brennan's school did a super cute program for the end of the year.  It was honestly so well done.  I've been in lots of schools over the years, and I have never seen such a darling, appropriate, and well-executed end-of-year program.  And to pull it off with over 100 kindergarteners was no small feat.

Even though Brennan missed the last two full days of school, he was able to go back for the last half day to get his report card and say goodbye to his teacher and friends.  He made this adorable letter for his teacher:

When Brennan got home from school on his last day, I had a banner for him hanging in the doorway.  After he had his picture taken with it, I made him break through it to get into the house.  :-)

Nana was inside waiting for him so she could take him to the zoo.

Another thing that came to an end for Brennan was soccer season.  His team finished the year strong, and even though every child got the same trophy, Brennan was very proud.

This past Monday we all went with my mom to the newly-reopened Rainforest Cafe at Opry Mills Mall.  The kids haven't been in a few years (it has been closed since the flood two years ago), and Brennan didn't remember anything about it except the hippo that used to scare him.  (He thinks it is pretty cool now.)

We had a gift card that was given to my mom for her work with the A Cappella Choir back in our home town, and it was just such an awesome present!  Brennan and Cora were in awe the whole time watching the animals move and waiting for the next "thunderstorm."  

Besides all of these special moments, we have enjoyed simply being outside in the sunshine playing on the slip and slide and eating meals on the picnic table.  

My mom leaves to go back to New York in the morning, and we will officially be on our own as a family of five.  We have ten weeks of summer ahead of us, and I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm scared.  But we will just take one day at a time and count our blessings...

...like s'mores and campfires.  Life is good.