My 2 Little Graduates

Before I had kids old enough to go to school, I was totally in the camp of "too many celebrations, graduations, for everything!" Now that it's my kids, I'm so glad people are willing to make these "big" events for them so special. School is officially out for us and last week we had 2 graduation ceremonies. I couldn't believe how emotional I was at Jace's graduation. A first grader seems so much older than a Kindergartener and I can't believe he is already done. I would have been okay if his two AMAZING teachers hadn't started crying. They have been so great for him this year. I couldn't have imagined 2 sweeter, smart and perfect women to begin Jace's formal schooling experience.

**Warning: There will be a little bragging in this post, since it's for posterity and the only journal I really keep, so if you don't like that, just skip the words!***
The whole family came to the ceremony. Jace is really smart and motivated with school work. He got almost perfect report cards and was reading chapter books by the end of the year. He loves math and is great at memorizing. He never missed a spelling word (15 each week) or a phonogram (10 each week) and always had 100% on spelling sentences. He is motivated to do well all the time and catching on to things so quickly. It's awesome to watch his little brain work. Most importantly, his teachers loved him and said he was so kind to everyone, a leader and always tried his best. Now, he isn't perfect there were a few yellow cards here and there and I know my son, but overall, I was so proud of his progress this year!

This is Brooklyn, he loves her. The other day, he asked me if Brooklyn was going to go to BYU, and I said I didn't know, why? he replied, "Because after my mission, I'm going to BYU, and then I can get married. But, if Brooklyn isn't there, how can I marry her?" Cracks me up!

Ryan and Gattlin. Jace's 2 buddies.

Mrs. Whall and Mrs. Oliver, they are the greatest. In a teacher appreciation article I wrote, this is what I said about them and their kind hearts, "They have the uncanny ability to impart knowledge in a way that kids digest and hold onto it. They expect a lot from the kids and the kids deliver. They know when to be strict, when tot have fun, when to discipline, when to hug, and how to genuinely laugh at Kindergarten humor. I’ll be forever grateful that my son’s first experience with school was better than I could have imagined."

He loved his teacher!

This is a darling song they sang with sign language. The whole program was too sweet and they were so proud of themselves.

Jace led the pledge of allegiance.

Parker also had his preschool graduation. Now, he isn't graduating, he'll be back next year, but it was cute to watch the kids show what they learned this year. He has Miss Tiffany, like Jace did and she is so amazing. We've really lucked out with teachers. Parker is so curious and motivated to learn. He has a whole year left of preschool but already can read words with short vowel sounds and many sight words, he can write all his letters and numbers, can add and knows so so many things. He's the kind of kid that shocks you with everything he absorbs. He loves to learn and lately will work for hours on his little workbook. I'm so impressed with him.

Parker with his 2nd cousin Anthony (yes, Anthony really is 2 of Parker!)

Parker gave me a cute flower while he sang, "You are my sunshine" to me!

A poem

Parker's diploma

Miss Tiffany!!!!