Wow! That’s about all I can say . . . Wow!

What an amazing last few days!  The kids, parents and teachers were so, so kind to me during my last hurrah at Aspen Creek.  Check out the cute little “Mrs. Smith and class” chalk drawings I found just outside my room on the last day of school.

On the last week of school a ton of my awesome moms (I consider them “my” moms, although I guess technically they’re my students’ moms) surprised me with an amazing lunch of my favorite QDoba burrito, chips, queso (you must have the queso!), and the yummiest desserts.

Then on the last day of school they gave me an amazing frame with quotes from my kids (that’s a mom’s handwriting, not a font around the outside) and an amazing bouquet of comments from the kids.  I’m no crier, but when one of the moms asked me to read the quote in the frame I lost it a bit.  Then when the kids broke into song (no kidding!) singing Happy Trails (or something like that, it was a bit surreal and I was a crying mess) I was spent.  Thank heavens for ice cream sundaes which distracted the children from my tears.

My teammates got me an amazing necklace from the local Humane Society’s fundraiser and auction, so not only did I get a killer chunky necklace (my favorite!) but the money went to help out some doggies who need a home.  My coworkers know me far too well!

And then, the kicker!  My amazing colleagues (pretty sure there are around 90 staff at my school) donated money so I can buy my own sweet little iPad.  I have been using a school iPad and have become a bit too attached.  The thought of giving her up has been a very difficult one to come to terms with.  But now, I don’t have to!  

Now, it’s off to Michigan in July!  We just traveled out there to do a bit of house hunting (I think we found one!) and I really did love it.  The lakes and the trees are going to be wonderful!  Downtown Kalamazoo is so much fun and they even have a ribfest!  That just sounds amazing!  I’m hoping to find a perfect little school that I will love as much as I have Aspen Creek.  I’m sure it’s out there somewhere. 🙂