Elijah Excerpts: Last Day of 2008 - 2009 School Year

Field day was held on the school’s playground with a map and scheduled rotation for the three classrooms (nearly 90 children).  Like all three classrooms, Elijah’s class tie-dyed t-shirts to quickly identify the groups – smart thinking, huh?!  Of the various “stations,” Elijah’s classroom sponsored some classics:  spoon race; water bucket relay; drip-drip-drop; and tricycle race.  The Field Day grand finale was a tug-of-war with the teachers, followed by popsicles.  Each class room used the combination of all their might and won their tug of war with their teachers.  They closed out the day and the year with a community song, then dismissed each child with their parent(s).  Many of the parents (myself included) and the teachers were more emotional than some of the children.

 

In addition to running a few weekend errands before the holiday weekend was in full swing, I allowed Elijah to choose what and/or where he wanted to go for a celebratory lunch.  We went to a new Asian restaurant in our neighborhood, where he celebrated with a tuna roll (an all time favorite).  We closed out the afternoon in the park, playing Frisbee, Elijah making imaginary food for me in the sand box, and lots of swinging. 

 

While swinging, Elijah said, “Mommy, this is the best day ever!”  Then, he really knocked me off my feet and said, “Mommy, I am ready to go home”- this comment from a child who never wants to leave a park (rain, snow, or sun).  At that moment, I felt a smile, a sigh, and a tear in my eye.  I was so thankful to be a part of Elijah’s “best day ever!”