Summer!!!

Guess what time it is?

"It's the most wonderful time of the year..." 

 Yeah, I know, now you have a Christmas song stuck in your head, but for me, having school be out for the summer is the best time of the year.  I love the warm weather and especially the freedom that comes with summer time.  (Granted, we have a very busy and somewhat short summer, but we will make the best of it, believe me!)

The whole, happy crew lined up before heading off to the last day of school.  (OK, actually, Jonas gave up going already since nothing was happening, but he's still pretending.)

Jonas successfully finished up 8th grade, and Samantha is taking the big step of graduating from elementary school.  So this is her last day at William Penn Elementary.  (So hard to believe!  6th grade is over for her!)  Amelia is done with 3rd grade and Duffy is moving on from 1st grade.

Just a little perspective - Samantha at the start of her kindergarten year at William Penn.

Samantha heading off to her first day of kindergarten - September 5, 2006.  So tiny - her head doesn't even reach the lock on the door.

And by the apple tree that we don't even have anymore.

And at the end of 6th grade - June 6, 2013, with one of her besties, Emma.

The whole school gathers at the flagpole outside waiting for the official end of school declaration from the principal.

Megan with her spanish teacher, Sra. Foulke.  We are both so thrilled that she will get to have her again  next year because Sra. Foulke is also moving on to second grade.  She has been an absolute favorite of all of my girls (and me.)

And Megan with her english teacher, Mrs. Shelton.

Amelia with her spanish teacher, Srta. Graham.

And Amelia with her English teacher, Mrs. Hunter.

Samantha with one of her favorites, Ms. Records.  (She got to have her in fifth grade and 6th grade - lucky girl.)

And Samantha with her science and math teacher, Mrs. Cook.  She ended up loving her class because she learned so much from her.  We couldn't find Samantha's spanish teacher anywhere after school, so we missed out on a picture with Ms. Ramos.

Samantha with a few more of her besties: Annika, Becca and Mary.  There were a few tears shed by this 6th grade crew since they won't all be together next year in junior high.

And all of the Stringham penguins (and friend, Hallee) with our favorite principal, Mr. Flanagan.  We are all so sad that he is leaving William Penn this year.  We have all loved him.

Samantha giving her school one last, big hug.

OK, so there is one part of this whole out of school thing that I really don't like - the end of the school year dump.  Everything that has been in their lockers, desks, backpacks and various other places, ends up  in a huge pile in the mudroom.  I so can't deal with that yet.  I guess that will be next week's project.  Wish me luck on digging us out...

This is how we all feel about being done with school: 

jumping for joy! 

 (In spite of Samantha's face, she really is excited for it to be summer.)

More celebrating!

And Peter is so thrilled to have his playmates home with him again - he's jumping for joy, too.

Happy Summer to us!