wonderment: last few days

We are ending the school year earlier than was initially planned. Due to lack of funds, we are ending June 2nd! We are in the final days of school. Here is my wonderment; it doesn't seem to matter when the last day is- we still rise and fall to the occassion. There is a rhythm to the end, regardless of the date. Students and staff alike start getting rather excited when we are down to counting weeks not months, then even more excited and rather frenzied when we are down to days not weeks! We are trying to stuff the days so full they are busting at the seams. Our emotions are barely below surface with the dangerous recipe of staying up late and being more active with the longer daylight hours, testing students, packing our rooms up, preparing for summer and next year, and tear laden goodbyes to the classrooms of students we have grown to love! These last days are full of field trips, class picnics, plays and performances, field days... Anything that will corral all those wiggles and giggles while the anticipation builds! ...until we can set them free, and let them bust loose into Glorious summer Vacation!