Winding down the school year

I had the privilege of taking the day off of work today and going on a field trip with Declan's kindergarten class to the Butterfly House and Faust Park.  I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I can say we all survived and had a bunch of fun and a class of kindergartners is a lot of work!

We left Declan's elementary school at 9:30 this morning and met the bus at the park.  Me and another mom were in charge of 5 of the 16 kids. I had warned Declan ahead of time to be on his best behavior and for the most part he was.  The kids got to ride the carousel first and then we headed to the Butterfly House for a presentation on a butterfly's life.  The kids, who have been learning about butterflies in science at school were so eager to show what they knew.  Then we were able to explore the actual dome and see the butterflies and various plants.  Afterwards, we spent a few minutes in the butterfly garden burning off some energy outside before having a picnic lunch and a short recess on the playground.  Around 1 pm, we gathered all the kids up -- which was a feat in itself with 5 and 6 year olds all over the place on a large playground and we headed back to school.  Overall, it was a fun field trip and I'm glad I took the day off to experience it with Declan.

Other than the field trip today, we've had a pretty busy few months.  We've still got hockey and ice skating on Saturdays, swimming lessons on Sunday and all other sorts of activities and events on random nights of the week.

In early April, we attended the Puck Cancer 2nd Shift at the Centene Community Ice Center.  It was an alumni game between the Blues and Blackhawks and it sure was entertaining.  The boys absolutely love any type of hockey and being able to sit a few rows off the ice is always fun.

Declan had a leadership day at his school also and we got to see more about how they are working with the kids to become leaders not only at school but throughout their futures.  He got to speak in front of the entire school at an assembly and we were so proud of his growth this school year.

At mid-April, we celebrated Easter.  We decided to have a low-key Easter this year and the boys got some small gifts, including some marshmallows and binders for their hockey cards.  They did enjoy finding all of the Easter eggs and have hidden them a few more times since then.  We stayed close to home and just had a family dinner.

That brings us up to May.  We've got a countdown for the end of school and the boys are looking forward to summer and getting some time at the pool.  Declan will be going to summer camp and Connor will be in a summer program at preschool.  It's so hard to believe that summer is almost upon us!  Where has the school year gone?!?  I'm about to have a 1st grader and another one with only 1 year left of preschool...my oh my!

We're trying to figure out a family vacation and some fun things to do this summer and it will be here in a blink of an eye!  I better get thinking and planning!!!