You've come a Long way, baby

Today was a Very. Big. Day.

First open house and meet-the-teacher at Highland Park Elementary, and then graduation at Mainspring.

This afternoon we visited Larkin's new classroom and met Ms. Bulluck, who is a first-year teacher and seems super sweet. Larkin was really interested in the classroom and looked all around asking questions. 

There is a two-story loft reading area in the corner of the room, which really intrigued her. Also, her name was everywhere - on the table marking her seat, on her cubby, on the alphabet board under "L" and many other places - and Larkin pointed out and wanted to talk about each one.

Somehow we were the last family to leave the classroom because we found the parent involvement committee signup sheets. I don't even remember what I signed up for.

On the way out we picked up a couple of Highland Park Scotties tie-dyed T-shirts for both girls, and Larkin got a popsicle.



I took Larkin back to school so she could finish out the day with her friends, and I worked remotely killed some time for an hour before graduation started. 

The graduation ceremony was adorable. One of the teachers read an excerpt from Oh the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss, and they showed a slide show of pictures of all the graduates through all their years at Mainspring. 

Each time a photo flashed up on the screen, all the kids would call out the name in unison. They were delighted by the photos of all their friends!

Then they sang the graduation song they had voted on earlier in the week.




Each child was called up to receive a diploma and medal from the Shining Stars teachers.







Of course, Larkin and Andrew sat next to each other.



Around the room were quotes from the kids about what they thought Kindergarten was going to be like, and clearly the two-story reading loft in her new classroom really stuck with Larkin. 



Larkin and her Shining Stars graduating class:





Daddy, Layne and I are so proud of you, Larkin. We know you are going to do amazing things in Kindergarten and can't wait to see all that you learn and the ways you grow over the school year. Such exciting times ahead!