Pre-K Graduation, Take 1

Today was Evie's pre-k graduation from Mother's Day Out.  MDOW put together a lovely ceremony for Evie's class (the Bear Room).    The photo displays on the table were precious.

Be still my heart

"Pomp and Circumstance" started and in came the graduates!

I'll take her playing with her necklace over thumb sucking

Then the Bear Room friends sang us a few songs.  I am SO proud of Evie: she did NO thumb sucking and sang every song!

My petite girl among the giant 5 year olds
On the wall behind them is "Owl About Me", like star of the week
from the school year

The ceremony was short and sweet followed by a lovely lunch

little brother clapping for the singing

Evie's piece of cake with her face!

And of course, the obligatory graduation shots with the 'rents and teachers

Ms. Rachael and Ms. Carol

At the end, the Bear Room friends got signatures on their graduation dogs.  Adorable.

No tears were shed from either of us today since we will be doing this all over again next year.  We decided months ago that we are not sending Evie to kindergarten this fall.  Ms. Carol supported our decision and we are sticking with it.  Evie understands that her pre-k class is going to kindergarten and she will be back at MDOW next year.  She is really excited to be in the Jungle Room and be at the same school as Braylen.  She will have new friends, new teachers, and new experiences.  I have seen a lot of progress in Evie's confidence this year, but she still wouldn't go forward when Ms. Carol called her name for her diploma.  It's things like this that I worry about her going to kindergarten.  She is a shy kid and probably the smallest.  We want her to be successful in school and we don't feel she is ready to take on the big bad public full-day kindergarten program.  I get another year with my girl :)