Welcome to the End!

When I pictured the end of the school year, I imagined myself running free to the school gate (think slow motion, and to the background music: "Chariots of Fire") then floating to my car in sheer joy and exultation. It turns out that the reality was a bit different....
At 12:20 when I returned from dropping my kids off at the bus, I scrambled to get the last few things taken care of in the classroom. I tossed in the trash whatever I couldn't find a place for. I quickly threaded string through my filing cabinets, then chained up my four supply cabinets with locks. I grabbed my bag and rolled it out with my desk chair into the car. My colleagues and I were going to lunch at a local Mexican eatery at 1:00 and it was 12:45 by the time I got to the office so that they could sign my check-off sheet. That turned out to be tricky, as I had to chase down our principal so he could sign, then I had to wait for our office manager to get through talking to another staff member. By the time I got the needed signatures it was 12:55, and just as I was going for the door, I saw one of my moms walking towards me as she picked up her son. This particular mom is very nice, but she tends to talk a lot and monopolize my time, so I felt justified as I shot a "Have a great summer!" their way and literally ran to my car and zoomed off. But now I feel a little bad about it.... :)

I had a fun time with my DHH colleagues at the restaurant. Everyone was so stress-free and happy-go-lucky! I was feeling a little giddy about the summer too! I'm just so amazed that I actually made it through my first year of teaching! Yea! The fact that it's over hasn't really sunk in yet... I imagine I'll have more to say once I reflect on this crazy year...

If any of you out there are wondering, Field Day was a success! (And not just because I organized and led it--everyone said it was great :) ). We did a water balloon toss, some relay races, duck-duck-goose, and musical chairs. Then I led everyone in a rousing version of Hokey Pokey, as well as the Macarena (another teacher had the music to go along with it!). I'm exhausted and I know I'll sleep well tonight--and sleep in tomorrow!! :)