From 7 to 8

Ethan is graduating from the 2nd grade! How can this be?

He's at the top of his class; he smiles all the time; he's obedient, silly, and smart.

What did I do to deserve such a boy?

Some mom who is much cleverer than I made this cute door decoration for Ethan's teacher:

"Thanks for helping us move UP in the world"

Ethan and I have both loved Mrs. M; we have nothing but fond memories of 2nd grade because of her.

Ethan and Mrs. M at the beginning of the year.

I wanted to take an end-of-year photo, but Mrs. M was just blown off a cliff while hiking and has big bruises and big bandages everywhere.  It didn't feel appropriate to ask to capture that on film.  (If the wind can blow you off a cliff, then you need to gain some weight! I told her that.)

My friend held a "See You Later Second Grader" ice cream party after school.

Ethan is the only boy his age in our neighborhood.  

These girls have been such good friends.

One of them may or may not have written with sidewalk chalk  "I love Ethan F."

I hope they remain friends for a long, long time.

Not to be outdone, the little siblings wanted to jump.

3rd grade seems like it's on the edge of the older grades; I don't like that one little bit.