Bullfrogs & Butterflies: Last Day Of School Awards Ceremony and Picnic

Today it was near 90' outside. It was probably way too hot to sit in a gym and too hot to be out at a picnic in the scorching sun. But to me the events of this hot day were perfect. I don't know how many times I got choked up today about my boys growing up. I sat in that un-air conditioned gym with sweat beading up on my face just waiting to hear my Jackson's name be called. I would have sat there even if it was 120'. My baby is growing up. He has changed so much this year. He received an award and T-shirt for earning over 100 points in the Accelerated Reader Club, Honor Roll Award, Good Conduct Award and a certificate for his summer reading program last year. Jackson finished 2nd grade today reading at a 5th grade level (proud mommy moment :). I sat and watched a slide show of the 5th graders who will be leaving Oakdale and moving on to middle school. I couldn't help but tear up as I looked over at Jackson while the music played some tune that I don't know but the lyrics were something about "You're gonna miss these days". I know I will. I dread that I will. I wanna soak up every single morsel of every day! Three years ago I dropped a scared to death Kindergartner off for his first day of "big school". That seems like yesterday. Now in three years he'll be going to Middle School. (WHAT?) I'm so proud to be this little man's mommy. Jackson finished the year with a total of all A's and 2 B+ 's. Good Job Buddy! Next year he'll have Mr. Long in third grade.
We also got to see Maggie receive her awards for the day. She is so stinkin' cute! Auntie Tina is proud of you Mags! Way to go little lady! She found out that next year she'll have Mrs. Rogier which is who Jackson had this year. Good news because we love Mrs. Rogier :)
I also snuck into Cody's classroom for a minute to get a hug and a picture with his awards. He'll be moving on to Middle School next year. Auntie Tina is proud of you too Cody! Keep working hard.
Mason had his last day of Kindergarten with a picnic at the park. Owen and I joined him with food from McDonald's. We played and got all hot and sweaty...again. Mason mastered all subjects on his report card. They tested his reading level and sent a paper home asking him to read 1.5-2.5 grade level books for the summer. WAY TO GO MASON! He got good conduct also and is very excited that he and his good buddy Alec will both be moving on to 1st grade in Mrs. Baldwin's class together. Mason's happy about that because Jackson had her for 1st grade so I guess he feels like he knows her. Mrs. Schmitt has been a wonderful teacher for Mason. She let me know today that she got Owen in her AM Kindergarten class for next year. She's the teacher that he wanted as well so it's been an all around great day here in our little world:) After picking everyone up from school we celebrated with an ice-cream at Tastee Freeze. I love you boys.

Maggie :)