Week 20 - The last week

May 12 - 

The boys and my sister treated me to a wonderful day today. I am so thankful for all 3 of them!

Due to the nature of the “holiday” I didn’t do any work around the house. However, I’ve noticed some things I can do outside tomorrow, weather permitting.

May 13 - 

As my lawn guy hasn’t been by to mow, I took it upon myself to charge up the battery for my weed eater and start hacking away at the front yard. With all the rain the past few weeks, I understand that those working in lawn care are behind schedule, however, the city I live in has these stupid, arbitrary rules about the length of grass and how citizens in this fine town will be penalized when their lawn doesn’t fit within those certain parameters. I despise those kinds of rules, so I will be plotting ways to make my yard either invisible to those in “power” OR to plant a BUNCH of flowers (hopefully mostly native) so they can grow freely and the rules won’t apply.  I’ve seen more than one house in this town that has a yard full of flowers and no grass. I want to be one of those houses.

Tonight was the last Band Booster meeting I will be attending. With my oldest days away from graduating, my time as a booster member will be paused until the little one joins band in a few years. Guess I should start saving up for the instrument of choice. LOL!

May 14 - 

Just a normal, exhausting day at the end of the school year. I’ve got some students scanning in books for their “finals” which will help with inventory. I’m a little worried about all the books that have likely grown legs and walked away this year. I thought I did a decent job of showing students how to check out books, but every year I manage to find mistakes. I realize that we’re all human and can make mistakes, I just find it very frustrating when books disappear and I have to purchase them again.

May 15 - 

Today was hard. The senior class turned in their chromebooks for the last time. My oldest brought his into the Media Center and I teared up some. He gave me a hug and told me it would be alright. I checked in his faithful chromebook one last time and placed it in a pile with the chromebooks of his classmates. A little later one of his best friends came in with his. That one was hard to check in, too.

No work was done around the house, as I’m emotionally exhausted.

May 16 - 

Pirate walk at HCP - graduation practice

As per a yearly tradition, the graduating seniors walk the hall of the lower elementary while wearing their caps and gowns. It’s nice for the teachers at that school, because many of them had those seniors when they were in K-2 grade, but it’s also for the little kids to see what they have to look forward to when they finish school. This year is the first (and only) year that I’ve attended the walk. My oldest graduates high school and my youngest graduates lower elementary school this year. I was not the only parent there, but I do believe I was the only one with the unique set of circumstances to be there. My oldest walked down the hall behind one of his best friends, and when my youngest saw them, he couldn’t help himself and jumped up to give “Bubby” a hug. It was adorable to watch the sheer excitement the youngest had at seeing his big brother walk the hall in his cap and gown.

With all of that being said, I didn’t do any work on the house again. However, the neighbor was kind enough to mow my yard for me. Guess I’ll have to resurrect the old push mower and start mowing my own yard again.

May 17 - 

Last day of school year - chromebook check ins

Today was the last day of the 23-24 school year. It’s a bit of a flurry the last day with chromebook check-ins, goodbyes from the underclassmen, and finishing up as much as possible before leaving the halls and year behind for a few months. It’s pretty bittersweet, as the realization of not seeing my oldest at the school hit pretty hard today. His last day was yesterday and our chance meetings in the hall have now ceased. No longer will I be able to point him out to the incoming freshmen class, or watch him perform with the band during football games, or witness him walk with the drumline through the halls when wrestlers make it to state competition. The last four years of us sharing a school have been wonderful and fraught with frustration. I have loved knowing we’re in the same building, but also sad knowing that because he’s in the same building as me that his time in the realm of public education is almost over. The last of the lasts for high school are almost here and I’m a mess.

May 18 - 

 For his 18th birthday (in February), I provided a list of concerts to my oldest and told him to pick one. That would be his birthday present from me. He could go to any show and take anyone he wanted. Initially he picked a band called Sleep Token, but sadly the show sold out during the presale so I was unable to purchase tickets. Well, I say initially, but honestly he picked Pointfest in St. Louis before Sleep Token announced their tour. So, I tried to get the Sleep Token tickets, but it didn’t happen. I was able to purchase the tickets to Pointfest, so he could see bands like Wage War and Bad Omens. The concert fell at the best, and worst, possible time. He has family in town for his graduation on Sunday. Thankfully, all of the family was very understanding, especially when they found out it was his birthday present. The weather was perfect for an all day outdoor festival. It wasn’t too hot, there was a slight breeze, and thankfully there were some shade trees around the venue so we could relax and avoid getting super sunburnt. He loved attending his first festival style concert and has now realized why I am so disappointed in many of the concerts I attend. I cut my teeth on festivals and it’s hard to relegate myself to 3-4 bands per concert. I expect like 5+. LOL! He said concerts will never be the same now. Good, welcome to the dark side my friend. He was able to experience his first circle pit during the Wage War set and also witnessed, first hand, the kindness that metalheads extend to others at shows. Someone had lost their wallet during the circle pit and the entire pit stopped to help the person locate their wallet. Once it was found, the pit started right back up again.  After the pit officially ended, there was another wallet found and those participating in the pit again worked together to find the owner. The oldest was very impressed and pleased to experience the bands and metal community in such a way.