I'm all sad that pre-school ended for the year!

[alexsam]

OK- how silly is that? My son went (goes!) to an absolutely WONDERFUL little pre-school and today was their "graduation" for the older kids and a potluck party... He will be returning there in the fall to the same teachers, a few of the same children (it is a multi-age group, so the ones who are leaving are the older kids going off to "big kid school") and they are building a beautiful new building for the pre-school for next year. And we have a busy and exciting summer ahead of us with lots of new adventures and fun things planned.

But I've found myself bummed all day... And not for the immediate reason of that my little 3 hours of quiet time a day will be gone () but I think it is becuase for the first time... there was a marking of passing of time. My baby is growing up.

When DS was a baby and toddler, there were milestones and birthdays, but this somehow seemed like something sweet was ending. And I know that next year will be pretty much the same, but... all of a sudden, it seemed like my "baby" was gone. Next year, he will be 4- one of the "middle aged kids". No longer one of the "little ones". So soon the scribbles will turn to letters. The laces will be tied by his own fingers. Soon grilled cheese and a nap at home will turn into lunchboxes and afternoon pick-ups.

Am I so silly or what getting all teary all day because it's pre-school summer break ? It also doesn't help that I'm pregnant and so "another baby" will be coming and Im totally hormonal and will cry at practically everything...

[natural_momma]

I could barely keep it together at ps grad today myself. For my dd it is her last year before kgarten, so I definately felt the passing of time, like suddenly we are counting down the time until life gets infinitely more serious. Up 'til now I felt like we lived in an idyllic little bubble, but right around the corner the big world waits. I am so proud of her but also a little sad that she is growing up so fast, and soon will have a world outside of ours!

Cherish each day b/c they go by even faster once #2 arrives!

[Dena]

Yeah, I got a little choked up at the end of year festivities at dd1's pre-school yesterday too.

It seems like just a few months ago she was a baby, and suddenly she will be pre-k next year. How the heck did that happen?

And yeah, the seven months since little sister joined us have certainly flown!

It is bittersweet. I miss each stage as it passes, but I really love seeing the little people they are becoming.

[Breeder]

I can totally relate and being pregnant certainly contributes to the fact!

With my soon to be born DC2 coming, I just keep thinking, "Remember when J was learning to talk?" or "Remember when J couldn't pour his own water (or tie his shoes, make his bed, get over a scrape w/o me etc etc etc)?" And I get teary.

It's part of what parents do, we have to learn to grow with our children, allow them to gain their independence and to realize that each stage passes into another stage with different things to love about this growing person.

It's bittersweet, every birthday or event marking how much bigger they get, but everytime I think, "I miss how it was when he was four." I take time to think of how amazing he is as a five year old, like how glowingly proud he is when he tied those shoes 'all by himself' for the first time.

[familylove]

I thought I was the only one getting choked up about preschool graduation!

DS is headed off to kgarten next year and I couldn't stop tearing up at his pre-k graduation. It is the end of an era. To me, it represents DS beginning his journey into the next phase of his life. A phase that I won't be as intimately involved in. It is very difficult to imagine that in a few months, he will be gone all day and experiencing life on his own. I know that he will be growing up and away from me. I imagine I'll be a sobbing mess the day I actually drop him off at kgarten. All I can do is spend as much quality time as possible with him this summer.

Hang in there!

[amcal]

I'm so sad too! Both of my children went to this preschol. It was wonderful, nurturing and so loving. I loved, loved, loved this school!!! And, now it's closed My DD was the last graduating class

[muchpeace]

Oh, I am right there with you! And I am not pg, so it's just me and my momma silliness.

Both my boys had their end of year parties, seeing how much they have grown just floors me. And what made it really hard on me is that my DS#1 had his big *graduation* (they even had the Prek 4 kids wear graduation caps that each child made for the big day) and last weekend he turned 5. I just keep wondering where did the time go?? It did feel like an *end* in some ways and that next year will be *different*. He keeps telling me how he is 5 & not a baby anymore Of course that gets DS#2 going on how he will be 4 before long and not a baby anymore either. Don't these boys know will always be my babies! I am really dreading the moment I hear DD say the same thing.

Everytime we hit another gut-check moment that is so bittersweet like this dh & I both realize how much we love being parents to our kids, how grateful we are to have them, & what amazing people they are BUT man is it SO hard to watch them grow!!