School's Out for Summer

I have to admit that while I definitely have been known to sob almost uncontrollably at a Hallmark commercial, school activities usually do not even bring a tear to my eye. I've always looked at beginnings and endings of school years as a natural passage of time. And I've enjoyed watching the kids grow and learn new things. I try really hard to live in the minute with the kids and not to spend a lot of time looking forward or back.

But something about the girls getting off the bus today struck a chord. I now am the mother of two 4th graders. 4th graders. How did this happen? It seems so old all of a sudden. And I'm definitely starting to see that maturity. I see it in the cooperation last night in deciding what clothes they would wear and a joint raiding of closets. For the record, Abby went to school in the outfit Madelyn wore on the first day this year. Madelyn went to school in Abby's t-shirt.

I'm hearing it in Madelyn's giggles as she talks with a friend about what they're going to wear the next day to school. (For the record, they decided to wear skirts.) Madelyn then asked me if she can go shopping with said friend sometime this summer. I see matching outfits in their future. Funny that she doesn't want to dress just like her twin but will more than likely embrace the idea of dressing like her BFF.

I see it as they spend time with Zach in the shallow end of the pool at a party this afternoon. There were tons of their friends there, but they spent time entertaining and playing with their brother. And some of their friends followed suit and played with Zach too. Making Zach feel like a rock star if the smile on his face was any indication.

So as we walked home from the bus stop (That would be the bus stop that is right next door. The bus stop that the girls are more than capable of finding their way home from without my help.), there were a couple of tears in my eyes. I am so proud of the young women that the girls are becoming. They are fun and intelligent. They get my humor more often than not these days. They make me think.

Next week, of course, I'll be knee deep in preparing their summer learning programs. But for today I'm enjoying the moment with my new 4th graders.