And we are down to one week….

Sorry about the lapse in countdown, folks. But we are back! Today I am going to show you a few pictures of the farewells I planned for my kiddos. Trying to help them end this chapter in their lives well (and hoping they won’t blame their parents for ruining their lives and talk about us in therapy…) So we celebrated their friendships and were absolutely overwhelmed at all the beautiful friendships they have!

We have all been incredibly blessed with spectacular friends! So here is a glimpse of my children’s friendship circles…

We will start with Marae. She is a “social introvert” – meaning she loves people but she also needs her quiet time to rejuvenate. So her group is a bit smaller than her two siblings, but spectacular nonetheless! 😉

She wanted to go to a coffee shop and “chill” for her farewell, so that is what they did!

Awesome little local cafe for her farewell... and their server was also a friend of Marae's! — Awesome little local cafe for her farewell… and their server was also a friend of Marae’s!

Two of Marae's best friends, Elizabeth and Keely. — Two of Marae’s best friends, Elizabeth and Keely.

We took individual photos of Marae with each of her friends.

The whole group of them... they all signed a book for Marae to keep as a remembrance. — The whole group of them… they all signed a book for Marae to keep as a remembrance.

Nate is an extrovert. The more people around him, the better! He loves his friends and thinks the world of them. He wanted as many as possible at his farewell. So we just planned his at an open soccer field. The weather was gorgeous and they all had a splendid time! I didn’t count, but I think he had more than 4

The first ones who arrived. I couldn't get a group photo of everyone... too crazy! — The first ones who arrived. I couldn’t get a group photo of everyone… too crazy!

Nate was thoroughly enjoying all the attention!

And it just kept coming! :-) So fun! — And it just kept coming! 🙂 So fun!

Boys - gotta love them! — Boys – gotta love them!

Even girls were invited to this party - not too many though... :-) — Even girls were invited to this party – not too many though… 🙂

Amazing friends! Nate will remember forever!

Elise decided she wanted a pool party and she invited about 25 of her little friends. What happy laughter filled that pool deck. Delightful memories for Elise to take back to Canada with her.

As each girl arrived, we took photos of Elise with each one individually. She can scrapbook them someday! ;-) — As each girl arrived, we took photos of Elise with each one individually. She can scrapbook them someday! 😉

Pool side games, too! With a travel theme.... — Pool side games, too! With a travel theme….

Elise gave a little "Thanks for being my friends" speech. Sooo cute! — Elise gave a little “Thanks for being my friends” speech. Sooo cute!

And two of Elise's most special friends made her a friendship book that all of her teachers and friends signed. So incredibly special. Thank you to Mychaela and Ashlee!! — And two of Elise’s most special friends made her a friendship book that all of her teachers and friends signed. So incredibly special. Thank you to Mychaela and Ashlee!!

Thanks for strolling through our farewells… As you can see, our lives have been very full and wonderful here in South Africa. Blessed…

6 thoughts on “And we are down to one week….”

Paloma says:

March 21, 2017 at 11:36 pm

Michelle, You know how much I am looking forward to seeing you (regularly) but as I remember how it feels to leave all my friends behind I’m sitting here in tears for all of you. What a wonderful thing you have done for your children. These are such wonderful memories that they will all cherish. I hope that your last week is filled will less tears and tons of plans for future visits. Have a great vacation before you get here. Love P

1. Michelle says:
  
  May 2, 2017 at 4:22 am
  
  Thanks sweet Paloma! They really are very special memories. Already feeling quite distant as we have been gone a month now. We sincerely miss our life in SA, but looking forward to our new lives in Canada. We will be back up in St. Albert in 9 days! Crazy!
  
Mom says:

March 22, 2017 at 1:37 am

This is soooo sweet! Each of the children had the perfect party for them. Such good parents!!
I am looking forward too your being on this s side of the pond.
Just st a little while now!!!
Love you,
Mom

1. Michelle says:
  
  May 2, 2017 at 4:18 am
  
  Loving time with you, Mom! And thanks so much for your confidence in our parenting! 😉
  
Ruth Boyd says:

March 22, 2017 at 9:17 am

Love you friend. Looks like you are doing this good bye thing well indeed.

1. Michelle says:
  
  May 2, 2017 at 4:17 am
  
  Thanks Ruth. I really tried to follow all the advice I was reading in various books and blogs… so hopefully my kids feel like they have had good closure, etc…

6 thoughts on “And we are down to one week….”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply