commencements

I love the word "commencements" to describe graduations. The word connotes the end of a chapter of one's academic life, a "moving on from." But the word literally means "beginnings" and thus points rather to a "moving on to." I appreciate this thought as Miles and I (rather tearfully) end the school year. I'm moving on from Belmont entirely, while Miles is merely taking a few weeks' hiatus, but we're both about equally emotional. This six weeks at Belmont have been golden and bright with children's smiles and hugs and laughter and play, all in the context of the most positive and supportive school environment I've ever experienced. The kids are my neighborhood kids; I see them all the time and they greet Koopa by name. I got to play kickball with the staff in the 5th Grade/Staff match. Someone gave me a Belmont El tee shirt so I would feel like I fit in for field day. The renowned and beloved principal (who basically got me into the sub system singlehandedly and got me this long-term gig when it opened up) did things like loan me her personal laptop and projector for three weeks to make teaching easier for me,  rearrange my schedule so I could see Miles' 2nd grade ceremony, and call to extend my job by a day (to cover the teacher work day) basically so I could get paid for one more day. The staff was warm and welcoming, and I got to know nearly every one of them (including the wise and compassionate woman I ended up requesting to be Adele's teacher for next year). It has been a huge joy that's made me think twice about my characteristic dislike of teaching primary grades. I'm quite sorry to see the year end.

On the one hand, I finish the year more attached to this school than ever and more excited to have both kids attend next year. On the other, I know probably any other school at which I end up employed can't possibly measure up.

Never mind, never mind. Forward!

I snapped several pictures a couple weeks ago when the graduating seniors from nearby East High School walked the halls of Belmont Elementary to be greeted and congratulated by the children. I had a kindergarten class at the time. They were unbearably precious in their admiration and excitement.

Graduation concluded last weekend.

Memorial Day has come and gone and now both the pools and the City Park Rides are open for the season. 

The cacti are in bloom.

 Field Day has come and gone...

Miles' partner struggles to steer him for "Battleship," the game I helped lead. 

And I have turned 35.

Not too much worse for wear, despite that I've been dreading this particular number.

In what I took to be a birthday gift directly from God, the public library was having a party on my birthday which included balloon animals, a magic show, a bounce house, bubbles, and ice cream!

We technically should have arrived too late for the ice cream, but when I mentioned a bubble/balloon party was a perfect thing to attend on my birthday, the librarian beckoned us to the librarians-only back room and presented us with three remaining ice creams and all the toppings! I always get loved good by my local public library. 

That afternoon, I took the kids roller skating. They've made a lot of progress; if I rent Adele a walker thingie, she and Miles are completely independent on the rink and I can skate as I choose. WIN.

That night, I went out with some of the few friends I've been able to make here in Pueblo and had 2.5 whole  beers. Which, if you consider I've probably had that many beers (& no other alcohol) over the course of the last two months, should give you an indication of how dramatic a move that was for me. We played Cards Against Humanity and impulse-ordered pizza and generally carried on like we were younger than we were. Though, some of those girls were probably young enough to still carry on like that on the regular, but we don't need to dwell on that.

There are no pictures of girls' night, at least, no pictures that I retain.

Tuesday was Miles' last day of school and his 2nd grade award ceremony. He won an award for excellent attendance and for being in the top 10 readers in the grade. His personal classroom award was for "thinking outside the box." I will miss his precious teacher so very much.

Check out the self-portrait!

We had to attend the end-of-the-year Belmont skate party at Skate City.

Adele photobombs. Next year, she's gonna be in the pack!

Like it or not, we have walked out of the school door and into summer. I have applied for three middle school jobs. I'm still waiting for more postings, or to hear anything about those three, but I'm not worried. I got enough of a sense of how much can hold these things up from being at Belmont all those weeks that I think it'll be July before I'm hired. And I'm (mostly) fine with that.

We leave for the big cross-country trip on Tuesday. And it really is time for a vacation, even for nerds and work-a-holics. Here we go!