graduation day

Who knew two years could go by so fast. It seems like just a minute ago I was standing in the rain holding back tears while Miss Abby scampered up on the big yellow bus without so much as a backwards glance. Now here we are, school is out and Abby is one short summer away from being a bona fide first grader. Yep my baby girl is a graduate of the kindergarten program. An experience that came with grad photos (with cap and gown), diplomas and a graduation ceremony (with handmade grad caps).

The ceremony took place after the second nutrition break, so the kids were able to file in to the classroom after all the parents, grandparents and siblings had been settled. The place was packed, but we were lucky to get window seats and avoid sitting in those tiny little chairs they have in there. Granny, however, was not so lucky and got stuck sitting up front in a doll sized chair. Which worked out fine for me because if she was any closer in proximity I likely would have bawled my way through the entire thing. Thankfully I managed to hold it together, somewhat anyway.



After a few really adorable songs the kids all took a turn saying what their favourite thing about SK was. Abby said it was having Miss M as her teacher. Awwww. Then the teacher brought each child forward and read a little speech she'd prepared about them. To paraphrase, she said Abby was the cheerleader of the classroom and what ever activity or task had been assigned Abby always declared it the best thing she'd ever done in her entire life. She said Abby was her feel good child and she wished she could have one of her in every class. Also she was always quick to compliment someone. Insert big proud Mommy smile *here*.

After we made it through the rest of the class it was time for the reception. I had made, at Abby's request, Cookie Monster and Elmo cupcakes and by the time I had walked from one side of the classroom to the other all the Cookie Monsters were gone and only a few Elmo's were left hanging around. Not that they lasted much longer. There was nothing but empty trays for me to take home. We chatted with a few parents and snapped some pictures of Abby with her friends and poured over the amazing scrapbook her teacher has been working on for them all year.



Including this picture that is way more amazing in person. Her teacher was nice enough to have it enlarged to 8X10 because as she so rightly suggested, we were going to want to frame it.

And then there was the end of the year report card. Which says a lot of stuff, mainly that Abby is right where she should be. I'll tell you the thing that made me most proud of all this very hard Mommy work I do around here to ensure I'm raising a lovely person. That Abby consistently demonstrates a sense of identity, a positive self image, independence, self-regulation, a willingness to take responsibility in learning and other activities, and she can identify and use social skills in play and other contexts. Another comment that made me smile was; Abby demonstrates a solid understanding of herself as an artist. Which doesn't really surprise me in the least. She is endlessly drawing, colouring, constructing things out of toilet paper rolls and feathers all while singing songs that she's learned in choir or heard on the radio.

I have to admit I'm more than a little sad to be leaving kindergarten behind. It's no secret that I triple love Abby's teacher. She is one amazing lady and Abby was so lucky to have her. I wonder how Abby will do being in school full time. While she continue to love it as much as she is now? I wonder how I will do with Abby being in school full time. New teacher, new principal.... so much to worry about before September. It's just like being back in school myself. I'm sure my anxiety about the first day of school will be at record high levels by mid August. And here I thought all of that was behind me, who knew it was going to come back, but worse? This Mom thing is quite the adventure.