Our son, Nick, will turn 18 and graduate from high school both on the same day next week, but yesterday was his last day of school. The last day of his senior year. The final day with the district that helped raise him. This…is…big. And it hurts a little, too. We are deeply indebted to the teachers, principals, staff, coaches, room moms & dads and classmates who have contributed in both big and small ways to the making of the young man that our son is today. They say it takes a village. It certainly does. We are grateful for this village that has nurtured, stretched, and outfitted all three of our children with a strong foundation for making their way in the world.
As I watched Nick pull away for that final 7am trip to school, in the car that each of the kids called their own during senior year, I am quickly struck by the car’s appearance, essence if you will, and the varied reflections of each of its “owners” over the years. This by way of revolving bumper stickers, college decals, rear view mirror decorations, styles of music blasted, and even the sweet smells of perfume vs. cologne.
This then led to my next flood of memories (because when you give a mouse a cookie…) of each of the kids on their last day of high school. Lucy in her pretty purple dress, photo-op ready and camera in hand; Chelsea cloaked in her turquoise Senior T-shirt, displaying her Wildcat pride, ready to brave her good-byes; and Nick wearing his Brine lacrosse pinny, scrambled egg & bacon sandwich in one hand, lunch in the other, running out the door ready to take on “this day” with boundless enthusiasm…he is ready… we are getting there…
How many mornings have we stood in the door waving goodbye while simultaneously looking forward to our next hello amidst the sounds of backpacks, lacrosse sticks, violin cases and sheet music hitting the floor upon their return home?
Our family is all about rituals…Yes, I feel another memory coming on…I bet you knew that!
Over the years I have asked my kids to do some pretty madcap things. For example, on the last day of school, every year, it was all about the Shaving Cream Fights!!! This was the only way I could imagine spending that wonderful afternoon. At first glance, it seemed innocent enough – but there was a sneaky method to my mama-madness…they thought they were just running around, being silly and getting covered in shaving cream but I knew that not only would they have the time of their lives, they would also be ridding themselves of stresses, ridding themselves of the academic burdens that had accumulated throughout their school year. I had hoped that the combination of laughter and shaving cream would somehow punctuate the end of the school year and begin their summer vacation on an unblemished note. I am all about clean slates and full tanks!
Another little ritual we attached to that last day of school was a food eating contest with some of the neighborhood kids…we’ve done them with ice cream, done them with fruit pies, and it is a blast! We didn’t have one this year but I will, however, share instruction for chocolate dipped pretzels! Not a bad consolation…
The truth is, you can use any type of pretzel, today I used Bavarian sticks. You can use any type of melted dipping chocolate, today I used milk-chocolate discs. You can dress them in just about anything you desire, today I used sprinkles and chopped Virginia peanuts. Melt your discs over a double boiler, dip the pretzel in the chocolate about 1/3 of the way down, immediately roll in your special topping, then place each decorated pretzel on wax paper, in the refrigerator or on the counter, and let harden. Eat and Enjoy! It is that simple. It’s also a fun activity to do with the kids on a rainy summer day!
What are your summertime rituals?
Ciao!
Autumn says
I can’t believe Nick is a senior, wow! So funny, I made these last weekend to bring to a kids birthday pool party and they loved them. Hope you’re doing well.
Annie says
Can you believe it??!! Time goes too fast, Autumn….but you know that! So great to hear from you!
Nicole says
Wow- ok- still crying from this post! I can’t believe your baby was done with school yesterday!!! I have always loved your year end rituals!!! The pretzels look amazing- your nephews and nieces would love them!!! ❤
Annie says
I was doing okay until reading your comment..now I’m crying again…mess. Your sweetas can look forward to those pretzels made special this summer! <3