How funny is this photo? My children were showering me with gifts--both for Ellie and for "end of the year" since tomorrow is technically my end of year--and a few included items for Lily. One little guy came into the room this morning and greeted me with, "How do you spell Lily?" and later returned with a gift for her and one for Ellie. We found a book and this crazy lollipop in her bag. Hee hee!

Lil also received a new baby that snores, and a sweet card telling what a wonderful big sister Lil was going to be. It included an "award" sticker:
No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, the child was still wearing her pj's at 4:30 this afternoon. I felt it would be best if she spent one more day at home to catch up on her rest and allow her to sleep off the lingering effects of her cold and fever. Lil likes to stay in her fuzzy pj's and Daddy lets her.

I believe she is FINALLY well-rested once more and we'll finish off the week at school. Then, she's finished. She'll return once-in-a-while for drop-in days (like when I have doctor's appointments), but for the most part, it's just going to be the two of us until Miss Bean arrives. :o)

Lil received a fun package in the mail today as well. It was a "gift with purchase" from "Your Big Backyard":
Lil using her "nockcleers". Other recent Lilyisms, "Mommy can you untight this please?" about her sippy cup with lid. Then, when full, "Mommy, can you tight dis up?" hee hee! :oP

Oh, and lest I forget, she gets "snarrows" in her hair. I have referred to them as "rat's nests" and "tangles", so Han dubbed them "rat's tangles". Lil, hearing this, has now christened them "mice". Don't you just LOVE kiddos?

So, for me. I have one day left. The kiddos are really really getting sad. I'm feeling a bit verklempt myself. Today was their spring/Easter party which wound up doubling as a "end of year/we'll miss you" party for me as well.

My parents and their children are beyond kind and generous. This was the most precious gift I received today (out of bunches of sweet and thoughtful presents). This blanket was hand-made by one of the parents. The ladybugs are made from the fifth grade girls' pink thumbprints, and the honey bees are the boys' thumbprints. (You should click to enlarge the image.) Is this not wonderful? As I told the kiddos, Ellie is the only child in the world who will EVER have a blanket just like this and that it is beyond precious. I know why they didn't do it, but part of me wishes each little print were labeled with the owner's name. All told, though, it was SUCH a thoughtful gift. :o)

Well, tomorrow's it. Wow. Where in the world has the time flown to? I can't believe it's almost over.

In other randomness, here's the Bean. I'm 37 weeks tomorrow. Hm, stretching up and arching back does good things for shrinking the tummy, lol!

And, folks, this is the bathroom. The ugly, blue sponged bathroom. My sweet sweet husband finished painting it today since he was home with Lil. The photo doesn't do it justice, though. It's a very lovely, soothing light green. Nary a nautical theme in sight. :oP

**********************************
Today's Sparklies:

1. Okay, so I've been meaning to post this and just haven't. Lil's first love note:

2. Brien pruned the flowering plum Saturday and I took some of the clippings and put them in a vase. They are blooming now:
They are beyond lovely and bring a smile to my face.
3. My sweet babies and their wonderful parents.
4. Pat was in "observing" today and was quite helpful when it came to lunch duty. ;oP
5. "The Breakfast Club"--non-TBS version. John Hughs was a genius.

No milestones.

************************************
I think I'm going to take a page out of Lil's book and try to get some good rest this evening. I'm off to bed. :o)