Blink! Blink!
I am blinking back tears that in the blink of an eye, kindergarten has come and gone.
On the day of her graduation, our vibrant, animated and enthusiastic girl was her usual self.
She was singing songs and reciting poems with gusto.
And she was the only one to curtsy after each performance.
And I'd never been quite so proud.
Oh boy do I ADORE her.
Because she doesn't do it to be loud or draw attention to herself.
She is still polite and unassuming.
She does it because she loves life!
Claire was so proud of her big sister.
Hallie's best friend this year, Kamryn
Our dear family friend, Brandon
Is it just me or does this crew look so grown up?
It was way to easy to imagine taking photos at middle school and high school graduations.
Ashley, Hallie, Madison, Rodrigo, and Caitlyn
She adored her teacher, Ms. Morales.
And we couldn't be more pleased with her.
This was so sweet. Hallie has been so excited to have a friend Claire and sister Claire.
She had to take a picture of her collection.
And her little sister couldn't be more excited to be included!
Alaina & Hallie
Brianna & Hallie
Rodrigo and Hallie
Ms. Benton, the teacher's assistant
Hallie & Genevieve (which Claire pronounces Jen-a-bee)
They had to do one more run on the playground.
And Claire couldn't be more excited to be part of the fun.
I am so grateful her sister is thoughtful and always keeps her included.
She proudly introduced her to everyone she could!
This little boy was sicker than sick.
I really feel it was due to the miracle of prayer that he made it through the morning.
He had a stomach bug the rest of the week.
Hallie and Caitlyn
After the graduation, Hallie was honored at a special student of the month lunch.
Each month they honor a child from each class that represents the
value the school focused on during the month.
Hallie was honored for, wait for it . . .
Joy.
Could it be anymore fitting for our girl?
Here she is shocked when they called her name.
Let the record show she previously knew she was student of the month.
I just don't think she expected them to call her name.
Such a little lady.
I love that both her siblings were proud clappers too.
Even though our friend Katie is in first grade, she was at lunch and was able to see Hallie.
The cutest cake for the cutest day.
And I just want to end with this picture again for a special story.
Apparently, all year long Hallie has been too afraid to conquer this particular slide.
She has always been extra conservative with heights -
her little sister and baby brother will do a slide before she does.
Throughout the year she never mentioned the slide to me.
But on the morning of graduation she told me
"I have to go down that scary slide before I leave kindergarten!"
And she did.
And this was that very trip down.
I'm so proud.
And what great symbolism for all the scary slides she'll come to in life.
I know she can conquer them all with her signature zest and determination.