Tonight was wonderful and very hard. I knew it would be. Annie had Kindergarten Graduation. It just seems like a big chunk of childhood floated away like a balloon that a child let go of. You stare at it wishing it back, crying, reaching out...but you can't get it back, ever. It was fun and beautiful....and now it is gone. I am staring hard, recording it all here, but I still want it back.
Since it was her last day, when her car pool came to drop her off we had a few things ready for her:
Balloons
Flowers
And a little gift
The Annies loved their flowers!
But they could hardly wait for the ceremony!!!
You see, they had graduation gowns. And let me tell you...for the last week (since the teacher sent it home) if ANYONE has come over, she quietly disappeared & reappeared with her robe on...not saying a word....just there...in her gown....until our guests noticed...and it was impossible not to :)
She would have slept in it if they didn't make her turn it in :)
It was finally time. The drive seemed long and quiet as we all thought over the year & what this meant.
When we arrived at school there were lots of pictures:
Friends
Her Amazing Teacher
The Ceremony
They even brought their Moms a flower during the ceremony. Well it was for their "families" I hogged mine :)
Each Child was awarded a different CHARACTER AWARD :
You should have seen me beaming when Annie received this award!
Yep...we are pretty proud of our Babygirl tonight.
Love You Annie!
First Grade...here she comes!
Oh, I remember my youngest doing this...such a day to remember. 1st grade right around the corner...where you have to actually leave the room, walk down a hall to find the "girls" bathroom. Congrats to the future leader and her family.
ReplyDeletebunny
Oh my little S*T*A*R is growing up... Congratulations on the completion of your first year. I noticed that your award was "a future leader" award. How very appropriate for you Annie. You, my dear, will accomplish great things. I shall look on proudly from afar, to see what God has in store for you, His little lamb...
ReplyDelete...Still Smiling...Rosie
What a wonderful, sweet day for you Libbie! The time does fo by toooooooo fast. I want all of my kids to stay that small and wish that was the cap and gown Cameron was wearing next week. Congratulations to Annie for getting the Future Leader award, but ofcourse how could she not, she is obviously a leader! She is a remarkable little girl destined for great things I'm sure! O.k. now MOM breathe deep and take it all in and enjoy every moment. (please remind me of this next week!) Theresa
ReplyDeleteI've been a reader for some time, but have not left a comment before....
ReplyDelete*waves*
Hello!
Just wanted to say congratulations to Annie. We don't do things like this here in the UK, except for at University, and it's such a shame. She looked like she had a great time. Good luck in First grade, Annie xx
Aaaaahhhh...So sweet!
ReplyDeleteMy second son is graduating tomorrow, but from high school. Time flies!!!
I know you're so very proud of her! Beautiful pictures, as always! Of course, it's easy when the subjects are beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteWow that's quite the celebration! I would have been a mess myself. How proud she looked. I'm looking forward to her leadership in the future. Go Annie!
ReplyDeleteThis is so so cute!!!!! Congratulations Annie and you will be a star in grade one. xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteHooray for Annie!
ReplyDeleteThat "future leader" photo is prophetic, I fully believe that lil' miss priss is gonna be president someday!
XOXO,
Anne
What a wonderful year she has had! She is one little sweetie, and "for sure" a future leader. What a great way to honor the kids! You all SHOULD be proud. She's a great little gal!
ReplyDeletexo,
Debra
Love the documentation of the ceremony- super cute! And what a sweet honor to get the Future Leader award! I couldn't imagine anything more fitting!
ReplyDeleteI feel as if I was there, heart tug and all! :-) Congrats to Annie and hug to mom! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Libbie! OOOH! What a historic day in sweet little Annie's life (and Mom & Dad too!!) She looks beautiful and so happy to be entering first grade. Future Leader indeed! CONGRATULATIONS!! xoxox
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! I know you are so proud of your sweet graduate.
ReplyDeleteHow adorable!!! Love all the pics. They grow up way too fast.
ReplyDeleteGraduation from Kindergarten, what a great moment to celebrate!(i understand how you as a mother felt). I love all the pictures and i think Annie has the most beautiful blue eyes and blue dress. Congratulatons Annie good luck in first grade. xx
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Annie!! I hope your summer has gotten off to a fabulous start!
ReplyDeleteI had a rerun of my kids while reading this. Emotions from one end to the other. I'm so glad you shared these pics. Annie looked amazing. Congratulations to her!
ReplyDeleteShe's a beautiful little graduate. I can feel your mama pride!
ReplyDeleteLook out first grade! Annie is on her way! And I am sad for you. I wish my kids could go back to kindergarten. Especially the one with the bucket problem...
ReplyDeleteAwwww, she looks so grown up. How adorable!!
ReplyDeleteawww, you make me want to shed a few tears because that is exactly how I have been feeling.
ReplyDeletemy baby is 4 going on 12 sometimes. it feels like it's happening sooo fast!
you all look gorgeous, especially your beautiful baby girl.
well done.
hugs to you Libbie ♥
Oh Libbie,
ReplyDeleteYour precious little Annie is growing up!! You must be so proud of her. I'm not surprised she got the leadership award, for so many reasons. She has been an inspiration to her whole class with her bracelet making venture, and of course just by being the big sister to those two absolutely adorable boys:) I can only imagine her leading her 2 little brothers...where she's leading them, I'm not sure..ha ha. No, really you must be proud. Don't be sad though, she is going into first grade. Now she's in the big league. How big she must feel??? :) She looks so cute in her cap and gown, I can see why she has been modeling it for everyone.
Now, me on the other hand, I WILL be bawling when my baby graduates, because I know I will only have her for 3 more months and then I know my job is basically done. You have to remember you will have so many wonderful years to make memories with her. I know what a fantastic job you have done up to this point, so it will only get better. She is just a doll, so I know I don't worry that you will have great times ahead.
How's the party planning going? Just a few more days, right?? I hope you are not stressing too much. I can't wait to see that post!!
Have fun and talk to you soon.
Thanks for your sweet comments, as usual. You have such a big heart!! That's ONE of the reasons I love you girl!!
XoXo
Gail
Congratulations and great blessings Annie!
ReplyDeleteAnnie is the sweetest and so is her mom. Go Annie . . . I see future leader . . . LOUD and CLEAR!!!
ReplyDeleteGod bless you.
Bren
So, so sweet! I remember preschool and kindergarten graduation...they are so precious and little and innocent. I am feeling all nostalgic now. Looks like you guys had a fabulous graduation...your daughter is adorable!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment on my blog. Your daughter is soooo cute. Yes doesn't time fly - before you have children 5 years seems forever, but once you have kids, time goes in a blink of a eye.
ReplyDeleteWOW...IT'S FRIDAY, again...where did the week go...have a "groovy" weekend...love Rosie
ReplyDeleteI just read the Good Housekeeping article about the bracelets and it brought back so many memories. When my little one (now 29) was in 4th grade, the San Franscisco earthquake hit and he decided he needed to raise funds for the Red Cross. He got a big jar of jelly beans and got permission from school to have a guess contest with the prize being a gift certificate to a local music store. He did all this out of his allowance. I am so pleased to see another generation of "tenderhearts" who answer the call for help. She looked great in her graduation togs and I wish her much love and joy in the future.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you stopped by my blog today so that I could find yours! You have a beautiful family. I love all the curls since our hair is as straight as straight can get! This is such a bittersweet time and so important to hang on to each minute because it does go by so very quickly. Be blessed today!
ReplyDeleteThank you my dear for your kind words...sending you a hug to start the weekend off...smile on Rosie
ReplyDeleteOMWord. Congrats Annie. She is so cute and you can see her excitement. How fun. Yes, she will be a future leader...a famous one:) She is precious. Loved the cap and gown.
ReplyDeleteTruly....Annie is such a beautiful, stunning little girl. I love how you made this day so special for her!
ReplyDeleteOh, this is awesome and wonderful and sad. I remember....
ReplyDelete