The Tassle Is Worth The Hassle

So she didn't graduate high school, but she made it through her first year of school and "graduated" Kindergarten! I got a little emotional when she brought home their cap and gown pictures. My first thought when they were having them taken was how ridiculous it was to go all out for kindergarten and it was just another way to get more money out of me because, face it, who can turn down a picture of their babies?! At least I can't. Fast forward to the moment she pulls them out of her back pack...the thought of ridiculous turn into sentiment. This is my baby girl, my first child that made me a Mama. My beautiful, talented, sweet, intelligent, wise beyond her years, Keilana. She's growing up and I can't slow her down. It was an instant of sadness that I didn't have control over time, but it was quickly overcome by excitement. Excitement that I'm on this journey with her, that I DO get to watch her learn and grow, and now I have this once thought of ridiculous picture to hang on to and pull back out when she has her high school graduation pictures taken. Then, years farther down the road, I can wipe the dust off her kindergarten and high school cap and gown pictures and compare them when she graduates from college. How fun for us that we get to do this together!

While there are millions of opportunites to be overwhelmed by ecstatic joy as parents, nothing compares to the pride we feel when we our children accomplish a task, reach a goal, or recieve a medal and award! You can see their excitement as they search for you in the crowd in order to take note of your approval.

And as you watch their little eyes scan the hundreds of faces, they finally meet yours, you grin at each other with that mutual understanding of job well done, and you can't help but think, "Yup, that's my kid over there. That's my girl."




Keilana recieved two awards, one for Math Lab, and another, her medal, for the Accelerated Reader program. This is her friend Daniel, he was the top A.R. student in Kindergarten. I told Keilana we will give him a run for his money next year and give him a little competition. There isn't any harm in a little healthy competition, is there? She's so good at reading anyway, and can't hardly put a book down! Even though I'm not always reading a book, my kids are read to all the time.

A School Year Of Growth

I like to start trends of before and after photos to compare and see how they have grown and changed, but keeping up with that trend is what's challenging. I hope I'm able to remember to do the same with the other kids that follow and somehow do it with each one, every school year.

Keilana with here parapro Mrs. Hatchett (left), and her teacher, Mrs. Taylor (right). Taken during the meet and greet in August.

And with Mrs. Taylor on the last day of school in May. 

Lana has changed so much during the last 9 months. She's 6 going on 12 for starters. She has matured socially, emotionally, mentally, and of course, she has grown physically. She's quite the little independant miss, doing much more on her own that she wouldn't have attempted prior to kindergarten. Along with this new found independance, she has found the freedom of speech and right to act how she chooses. It's incredible how much Kindergarten can change them and I anticipate how 1st grade will treat her in just a few short months.

Taken the second day of school

The Last Day of school.