Yes, I basically cried all day long.

I cried in Kroger.

I cried in the balloon store.

I cried in the Walmart as we picked out prizes for his class.

I cried the night before and the night of.

I flipped out on Jeremy over the teachers book and broke a kitchen drawer trying to find a pen.  I basically was like a New Jersey Housewife….and it was all over the fact that my baby was graduating Kindergarten.

I don’t know if it’s normal or not but for some reason, this event really got to me.  I mean….deep in my SOUL.  My baby.  My sweet little stoic nugget of a squish.  My spiderman loving, monster truck racing, baseball playing boy is now an official graduate of kindergarten.

He attended this preschool for kindergarten because we really loved the fact that it was accredited but had a shorter day than normal private and public schools in our area.  He probably would have done fine with MORE socialization (Will LOVES his friends so passionately and constantly wants to play with them) but we felt like four hours a day four times a week was appropriate for him at this age.  Plus, his school had only 12 kids in a class and two full time teachers so it was a great ratio.

I know that some folks were concerned that I would put the school name out there…but they are all graduating…and this school doesn’t have elementary school grades available so none of these kids will be there anymore.

Each of the kids made this big Kindergarten poster and signed it.  And each parent and teacher chipped in to make these boxes on the last day of school.

For the graduation ceremony, Will got to lead his class.  This is just so typical of him….a little leader who is responsible enough to handle big tasks.  I love that about this dude.

A few students had special tasks – saying prayers and reciting memorized verses.  Will recited Psalm 119:11 and I couldn’t wish that more for his life.  ALL the kids got to say what they wanted to be when they grew up (Will said a Baseball Player!).

And the kids did half a dozen special songs with sign language!  I couldn’t actually see them sign because I was crying but I hear it was beautiful 🙂

Along with their diploma, the teachers also handed out character awards.  Will received the award for Dependability.  Some might say that is boring compared to Knowledge or Creativity.  I say that’s husband material 🙂

I seriously do think that it just shows that the teachers truly know the students.  Will is dependable.  He is very responsible and I can count on him to do what he says.  I rely on him a lot at home to help me with the babies (fetching diapers and keeping his toys away from little fingers and mouths) and to be prepared for school and baseball.  I always say that he could be president one day!

After the ceremony we had some giant mylar balloons for him to pose in front of….the process was comical.  SOLD!

I think I might get them re-filled so that I can get a better photo during the day light hours.

Gramps and my mom came to the ceremony so we had representatives from Chattanooga and Georgia when it came to grandparents.

And when we got home, we celebrated our little graduate with his favorite treat – a cookie cake and a bag full of summertime goodies (water balloons are always a good idea!).

Such an emotional event.  Other moms from his class would come up to me and ask me if I was ok….I think my eye makeup betrayed me.  I mean…it’s literally going to be a blink of an eye and all my boys will be graduating high school and then moving on with their lives and then I will be old and alone and drown in my tears and Jeremy will need to hire someone to walk me around gardens and wipe my memory so that I don’t cry everyday all.day.long.  Even with all the feelings of pride and excitement….this mama thing is HARD.  It’s bittersweet….saying goodbye to the baby-ness when all you see is your baby….moving forward when what is behind you is worth holding onto.  Pray for me….this parenthood path I’m on….it’s hard on my heart and I’m racing down it unwillingly with great excitement and grasping at memories like bubbles in the wind.  That makes no sense….and all the sense in the world.

Congratulations Dear Sweet Will.  Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you.  I can’t believe we get to be with you.  You amazes us every day.  Keep hiding the Word baby and you will never be alone.  A thousand of my kisses and a million of my hugs, Mommy