A New Chapter

So, it's finally hit me: Rayven graduated from preschool. Yes, we missed her actual graduation day, since we were in AZ with my parents. And we also missed the last official week of preschool. But on her last day, we took cupcakes for the kiddos to share, our gifts for lovely Ms. Karla, and I even got some pics of the rehearsal!! It was a great day, and of course, I CRIED!! We have loved her Tuesday/Thursday school (which is at our church) and her little class. The highlight of the year for Rylee was carrying sister's lunch box to school everyday!! She took it in each day like a big girl, and a few times she tried to stay at school with sister!

Her class and Ms. Julie's class during rehearsal

Her buddies at their table

Her preschool diploma and beautiful shadow plate
(How could I NOT cry???)



Rayven with her buddy Alexi & teacher Ms. Karla


The girls goofing off during rehearsal

Rayven & the other 3 girls in her class - Ella, Rayven, Alexi, & Bryn

Rayven getting her diploma from Ms. Karla

The basket we made for Ms. Karla with all the kids' handprints

My little preschool graduate!

Well, it was a great day, even if I cried. And I didn't cry for the reasons you think I did....it's not because I'm sending her off to school and I'm going to miss her so much!! LOL. Actually, Gonzalo & I have decided to homeschool the girls (for LOTS of reasons), so she won't be getting sent off in the fall. We will be learning at the kitchen table, the living room, the backyard, or wherever the mood strikes us. Actually, the more I think about keeping her home with me, the more I am sold on homeschooling. I love that I'll get to see her learn everyday and her growth, in physical, spiritual, and intellectual ways. So I'm not sad about that. But I cried because these 5 years have flown by so fast...like a blink. And if the next 5 go that quickly...I don't even want to think about it.

My mom says that life comes in chapters, and that we shouldn't be sad when one chapter is over but we should be happy for the new chapter we're in. I can't help but be a little sad that Rayven's baby, toddler, and now preschool chapters are over. But I'm also looking forward to the Kindergarten chapter where she & I will learn together what it means to homeschool. :) We got her curriculum in the other day, and it looks like so much fun! I think teaching her to read will be the toughest for me, but I'm ready for the challenge.

Congratulations, Rayven! We're so proud of you!!!