Days with the Dorans

It's a bit surreal that after 12 years we will no longer have a child at Dublin Elementary!!! This was certainly NOT how I expected Sean's "5th Grade Graduation" to go. He hasn't spent the year with these kids but they are his past and I'm sure it was good to see them. No parents were there but we could watch it on zoom and I did (with my class). I took a video of Sean walking the stage and then he shared his perspective on how the year went that you can see HERE . Thankful a teacher sent me this! It's OFFICIAL!! He had two different teachers at Dublin and then also Matt Hewitt for the third trimester!

And then it was Zach's turn to "Graduate" and I really can't believe that my 60 pound 5th grader is really going to middle school next year. His school did their ceremony at 9:30 in the morning so I had to take the morning off to go. Dad and I got there early to get seats for Nana and Papa. Al was at school, Joe was off to Cedar Point with the 8th grade and Sean was called down from his class to watch with the other students who had sibs. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. We weren't allowed to clap for any of the graduates as they walked across the stage which felt quite awkward to see them walk across in silence. There were some DARE essays read and a couple songs sung. I couldn't see anything because I'm short but thankfully I had some friends send me some pictures. I watched him sing through someone else's phone (sigh). There was also no reception afterward or even a time to talk or get pictures with our kids. As s...

 I still can't believe that the girl who was put on the wrong bus her first day of kindergarten is suddenly graduating from 5th grade! I made her a noon-ish eye appointment so I could be at her graduation (after her appointment) because there was no way I would miss it.  I hate that my school won't let me take a personal day for something like this. Joe was in school but her little brothers were there along with Dad, Nana, Papa & TZ (who Papa was babysitting).  The ceremony was long. There were four kids that read essays (that's what took so long) and then each kid got a certificate and they sang two songs (which I really liked). After that they went to the new gym for a reception. I love that Al and her twin (and neighbor) Sarah were dressed similar (white on top black on bottom) without even discussing it.  Of course Al had her signature flower. She has her own style but she wears it so well.  Al had a great year and her teacher, Mr. ...

I still can't believe that Joe is done with Elementary School!!!  People weren't kidding when they said, "Enjoy!  It goes so fast!"  It seems like yesterday Joe was like THIS going to kindergarten!  And here we are with him going to middle school and Seany off to K.  People are right- it does go fast!  I found out early in the year (November) when the 5th Grade Graduation was and put in for a half day personal day so I could see it.  We aren't allowed personal days that late in the year so I basically said that I needed to know if they would grant it or if I should take a full day off and make a dr.'s apt for myself around noon... Well they granted my "one day only" "special exception" half day personal day which I was thankful for but in my head I was thinking.... "Well- one day this year but next year Al is in 5th... then Z... then Sean..."  Ugh- support your kids (unless you're a teacher!). Joe almost didn...