Tag: Graduation

Ellie Graduates Kindergarten

Leave a comment
Today Ellie graduated from Kindergarten… Kindergarten!! When did this happen?  It feels like just yesterday we were moving back to Seattle and Ellie was starting her very first day of preschool. Now she is graduating from Kindergarten and will start First Grade in the Fall. 
Ellie’s school doesn’t do a huge graduation ceremony like most but they so a celebration in each class. The class sang songs, we watched a slide show of all of their accomplishments and then enjoyed  some snacks and treats with all of the students and their parents.
Ellie has worked so hard this year and the change is impressive. She started off the year not being able to read or write. Her guided reading level was an A, if that. She could count to ten and do some basic addition. She ended the year at a guided reading level of an H (First Grade Level), she can write her own sentences and spell phonetically. She can add and subtract, she’s learned a lot about animals and science and her confidence has grown immensly. She loves to read and draw. Her teacher has been amazing for Ellie and I couldnt have been happier. Shaun and I are so proud of Ellie and all that she has accomplished!
Now its on to First Grade!
Singing Songs for the parents!
Ellie’s shares how she has bloomed this year in Kindergarten.
Ellie receives her Kindergarten certificate and the “key to the future”.
Ellie and Miss Polly… shes officially a First Grader! *Mommy cries inside*

Abby Graduates from Pre-K

Leave a comment
Well, Abby made it! She was fever free for over 24 hours (without the aid of medication) and woke up today feeling well enough to graduate with her Pre-K class. She was very excited! Over the last few days the absence from school was starting to get to Abby and I could tell she was getting upset that she might not be well enough to go. But she woke up chipper, happy and ready to leave Pre-K.

Ellie waiting patiently to watch her big sister

Their ceremony was short and small. This is Pre-K after all. Each child had their names read aloud and Miss Foster had some lovely and kind words for each student. The class made their own caps and also helped put together a photo slideshow for the parents. It was fun to see them grow through the year through photographs.

After the ceremony, the school put together a small luncheon for the children and their families. It was nice to sit and talk with some of the parents one last time before we parted ways for summer break. We live farther away from the preschool than most families, so Abby wont be attending the same school as most of her classmates next year in Kindergarten.

Walking down their road. Miss Foster read “Oh the Places You Will Go”. Not a dry eye in the house.
Abby recieves her “diploma” and the gift she made for mommy and daddy.
The Pre-K graduate! She wants to be a doctor for moms and babies when she grows up.
Sisters!
A proud mommy and her little graduate.
A very proud daddy and his graduate.
Miss Foster with her little graduate and future student. Ellie will be in Miss Foster’s class next year!
After graduation, we took the girls for a celebration lunch at their favorite place, Red Robin. Abby had a yummy lunch and received a special gift from us. To commemorate her day, she got a new backpack. A big kid backpack! One that a Kindergartener would take to school and can fit big kid folders and homework. Abby is very excited that she will have homework. (We shall see how long that feeling lasts!).

Lunchtime smiles and silliness. I cannot believe this girl is going to be in Kindergarten!
Opening her “super big” present!
Showing off her “big kid” backpack and some of the goodies that were tucked inside. Lots of fun for the summer and next year!
Ellie recieved a little something too! A perfect little pony backpack for her year in Pre-K. She wouldn’t let me take a picture of her with it. Shocking.
Yay for big kid backpacks!

Today was a great day and everyone was healthy again! Yay for celebrations and fun times. Its even better when daddy gets to take a day off from work too!

Adding One More to the MSU Alumni… Go Cats!

1 Comment

Today my “little sister” Jillian graduated from Montana State University. It started as a cool and gloomy day with a bit of rain, but turned out to be a gorgeous day. I dont know how much I can say because I truly don’t have words to describe just how happy and proud I am of Jillian. She has worked hard, sacrificed a lot of time to her studies and now all of that will pay off. Hopefully she will soon have a job teaching and molding young minds. My heart soars with pride and I see a very bright future for my little sister. She looked beautiful, happy and excited. After a two hour wait, Jillian was finally a part of the MSU Alumni and no longer a student.






After she was officially graduated, we headed back home for some lunch, cake, ice cream, cards and gifts. This gave us the time to enjoy each others company and celebrate the wonderful day. That night we headed out to Three Forks, Montana to the Sacajawea Inn for a celebration dinner. For those who did not know, my great grandparents were the first proprietors of this Inn so it will always hold a special meaning to us.




The dinner I had was amazing, some of the best ribs I have ever had. The girls enjoyed it too! Abby had a great time coloring and Ellie, well, she loved the bread! It was a wonderfully perfect day!