Graduations!

Could it really be the end of the school year? I don't believe it!?! So June brings us all our end of the year programs and graduations... can't believe next year I will have 2 kids in school all day long. I can't believe next year, I'll have a 3rd and 1st grader!

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Kadyn graduated from her first year of preschool with Mrs. Tate. This was my 5th preschool graduation, I loved it don't get me wrong...but I've heard all these songs TOO many times. HAHAHA

But Kadyn, she was the first of my girls to be such a ham.

The other girls were usually shy, especially at their 1st year graduation... not Kadyn :)

 Mrs. Tate said that Kadyn is a big helper, she's the preschool police man... 

always making sure everyone else is obeying the rules!  hahaha

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Then we had Kacey's kindergarten program.  The kids put on a show and sang songs, and each child was asked to dress up like the profession they wanted to be.  And they all had a speaking part.

 My sweet child, she wanted to be a doctor.  It made me so proud.  

(sidenote: There was a group of girls; they stood at the microphone, they said that they wanted to be models.  It was cute, a bit cheesy, but after a moment it broke my heart.  They are 5, and physical appearance is already of top importance.  Kacey didn't even know what a model was!  I was quite proud by that)  

 Kacey's part, which she memorized and brought the loudest applause for her clear pronounciation and maybe for the fact that she's just darling:

"I want to be a doctor and help sick people get well; to cure all the diseases that attack the human cells."

That's my girl :)

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I love all my children equally, but (negates everything I just said) there's something special when it's your first child and first experience with something- that's how I felt at this assembly.  

I received a private note from Kylie's teacher requesting my attendance during school for an award ceremony.  Matthew was in Denver, heartbroken he was missing it (I'm grateful for his position and his job, so it was NO big deal at all!!! And I texted him minute to minute detail.)   Kacey (PM kindergarten) and I went, as a complete surprise to Kylie.  She had no clue we were there; she had no clue she was receiving an award (2 actually).

 Kylie's teacher, Ms. Gaura, and the principal, Mr. Hyberger.

 Kylie on stage!

She received an award for straight A honor roll for the year, and also she got the Citizenship award for outstanding behavior.  At this point, she still had no idea that Kacey and I were there!!!

When Kylie walked back to her class, we ended up walking over to her.  She was like a deer in the headlights; she had no clue.  It was great to surprise her like that and definitely a proud mommy moment for me.  Kylie has worked very hard this year; the hardest by far than she's had to work before.  I'm hard on her, I set the bar high.  She would bring home her weekly papers, and I wanted A's.  If I didn't see A's, we'd be sitting down and going through it.  (She'd never get things wrong because she didn't understand, she got things wrong because she'd fly through it to be the first one done)
Many times Matthew would say take it easy on her, because I push her.  I totally do.  And sometimes I'd listen to him and stop- trying to keep her life balanced, and sometimes I didn't listen and in that moment I'd keep pushing :)  She's very bright and I expect the very best from her because she is capable of it. (wow, I sound like my mom)  But it's true!!!  Wasted talent is the worst thing in the world, and I'm so proud of her for working so hard... and many times she'd be begrudgingly walking up the stairs onto another task that I'd given her, and she do it without complaining (just a little UGH look in her eye).  It's a neat thing to see joy and excitement in your child's eye because of their hard work.  It's odd, as a parent to young children, you spend so much time giving your children things... but in this instance, just with my simple guidance and persistence, she did this on her own!  She deserved this.  At this moment, she knew she was able to do anything she wanted... like the world became a little bit smaller, and she became a little bit bigger.  So proud of her diligence.  And in this moment, she was proud too.  Hard work pays off, and the easy way isn't the best way. Kylie had a wonderful 2nd grade year and I'm so very proud of all her hardwork and accomplishments.  Third grade is going to be AMAZING.

This is Kylie and Ms. Gaura.

Ms. Gaura has been such a great teacher for Kylie.  What I loved most about her is that she could size my child up very quickly.  Kylie's super bright, but if you ask for a few answers, she's only going to give you 2.  If you want more, you need to ask for it.  She's not going to go out of her way for something, unless she knows you are going to specifically want it.  I felt like Ms. Gaura gave Kylie that push, and while another teacher may say, "Yeah you are doing great" because Kylie totally was... especially by the standards of the rest of the 2nd grade class...  Ms. Gaura would go that extra mile with Kylie, because she knew Kylie was capable of more, to exceed what was required and do more.

Kylie's going to miss Ms. Gaura so much next year, and Kacey's crossing her fingers to get her in the 2nd grade too!  (me too!)

 Kylie with her good friend, Sadie, and Kacey as well.

Sadie holds a special place in my heart.

Kylie struggled as we moved and switched schools.  The first few months were hard, and she felt like she didn't have any friends.  Heartbreaking as a mom.  With our short little move, Kylie lost a handful of friends at school and church; friends that she'd had for as long as she could remember.  That coupled with the timing of her, noticing her own insecurities... coming into her own a bit and being sensitive.  You may recall a facebook post where I mentioned that we were desparately trying to win the Nacho Party for Kylie's class; and we won it by bringing in the most receipts from a grocery store.

Anyways, Sadie stepped up as a great friend when Kylie felt alone.  Sadie, from an all girl family- her being the youngest, branched out to Kylie and welcomed her into their little established friend group... seems simple, but it was a very big deal.  It was more than just including her in things.  She'd notice Kylie being a bit apprehensive and grab Kylie's hand and say "come on let's go and...." or she was that friend to cheer Kylie up if something at school got her sad.  I'd hear stories of something that happened at school, or she'd bring Kylie a present.  This girl was an answer to many of my prayers in so many ways... and she probably has no idea... just a sweet young girl, raised in a good family.  Anyways, I know Sadie was a huge support to Kylie and I'm grateful for that.  I hope my girls develop that same charity and compassion and can help others in a crucial time like Sadie did for Kylie.  No doubt that Sadie helped in Kylie's achievements this year.  .