Graduation; a proud parent moment

The end of June brings graduation time. For many of our momstown mamas, children are graduating from preschool and will be heading to their first big school for JK. Many more have children graduating from kindergarten and moving on to grade 1.

This is a sentimental and emotional time for for moms and dads as their little babies are getting bigger and school is the first indication of this.

For me, graduation time was a little different this year. One of my babies, now almost 14, graduated from grade 8 last night.

This is huge. I watched her graduate preschool and head to kindergarten. I watched her graduate kindergarten and head to full time school. I have watched her grow and flourish and soak up the knowledge thrown at her over the years. And now I have watched her graduate from 10 years of schooling to head on to the next level, the next adventure; High School.

It was a bitter sweet day. Watching my daughter be pampered by her three honorary big sisters, fellow athletes from her baton club, that have also watched her grow up and were excited and proud to be a part of her big day.

I watched as my beautiful baby girl was transformed into a stunning young woman. My heart swelled with pride seeing her but it was a little bit sad to see her grown up, she's not a baby anymore.

The graduation ceremony was fantastic. Arriving at the high school she will attend come September for their big ceremony was exciting. All the girls were so gorgeous and they were full of squeals and laughter as they gathered for pictures and checked out the dresses they all chose for their special day.

The boys all looked so grown up and handsome, and the girls, well they noticed.

Through the ceremony awards were presented to the kids to honour their accomplishments. My heart swelled with pride as I heard my daughters name called over and over for various awards and then finally as she was announced as part of the honour roll.

I am proud of my daughter for making so many academic accomplishments while also being an elite competitive athlete and spending many long hours in the gym, as well as fitting in some social time for fun!

I look forward to continuing to watch my daughter grow and succeed. My wish for her is that she continues to make good choices, be a leader, work hard and succced. But most of all I wish that all her dreams come true.

To quote Dr. Suess : “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”

She's a Big Girl Now!!

Well I survived... I mean she survived. My little girl is a big girl now!

She made it through her first day of Kindergarten with ease! The teacher said she was a delight; she listened, was attentive, well behaved and smart! What a great report after day one!

I knew she was ready. She is a curious, social butterfly and smart as a whip. Mama wasn't so ready to let her go, but I knew she would be fine.

An early morning with a healthy breakfast, picked out her own outfit and she helped pack her lunch. My daughter was ready to go!!!

Once we got to school the excitement grew. She was at the BIG school, where her BIG sister goes!!

There were giggles and skipping and running. She went right into the yard without thought... I had to pull her back for a kiss!!


My other half was shocked to see how freely she went in and went to right work making friends and playing with other kids. She sure is like her mama!!

At the end of the day I waited with all the other anxious parents to pick up my baby and see how her day was. The bell rang and she came out with a long face. Dread set in that maybe she didn't like school, or maybe was sad, or missed me.

When I asked her what was wrong she simply replied, "I don't get to go on the school bus, I have to walk with you." God love her, the worst part of her day was being told she had to walk with her mom!!!