Aidan's Third Grade Graduation

Aidan, You graduated 3rd grade! And because of Coronavirus, we got to be there for your (usually private) celebration!

You've been looking forward to this day for the longest time. Ever since you saw the first moving up ceremony as a first grader, you knew that you would get a ROCK and a JOURNAL... and guess what!

You got your journal! (Ms. Bell hand-delivered it to you at our house!)

You got your rock!

Ms. Gwynn chose the word 'empathy' to describe you.

She said, "I have a long list of words I thought to describe you including humor, clarity, tact, honesty, integrity, respect, patience, and it took me a long time to decide which word to use. Which word really summed up what I admire so much about you. You are so willing to share your thoughts. You listen so carefully to others' thoughts. And you're such an amazing helper to others. And I landed on the word 'empathy,' because I think that it's your empathy that helps you be all those other things. Empathy is the ability to understand how other people are feeling and to recognize how much other pepole are like you, and how much you are like other people. Inclusive i just thought of another word. You are the most inclusive person that I know. You really understand what makes us all human, and and you have genuine effect. You really, really make a difference in people's lives. I think we all have so much to learn from watching you be empathetic. I have loved every minute of having you in my class for the last three years. And I am going to miss you so, so much. You are absolutely a bright spot in my day, every day. I love talking to you, I love teaching you, I love looking at your work. Everything about it. Thank you so much for being willing to be yourself..."

You said, "I will miss all of you too!"

Saad'ullah said "Aidan, you've tought me a lot for my life."

And - after you found him - you said "Thank you Saad'ullah for saying that. That makes my heart glow!"

"You are so full of love, and you are so good at expressing it. You have this super power of being grateful. You are so in touch with what you appreciate about other people, and what you appreciate in your life. And I want to say, you have these expressions on your face and things that you say that just melt my heart. When you talk about your family. Your love for your mother, and your father, and your sister...I can feel it. You have this amazing power to give love."

You said " I'm brave too! I've climbed up a big mountain before."

She continued, "You're so good with words too. The way you said Saad'ullah made your heart glow, that's a perfect example!" 

I can't sum it up any better any better than that! 

You are an empathetic 3rd grader! And you will continue to grow to be an empathetic, and humorous, patient, respectful, honest 4th grader too. 

We are SO proud of you!!

Julia: A Kindergarten Graduate

In some ways, you've already seemed advanced for your age Julia. You've shown wisdom, wit, humor, and heart beyond your years for your whole life.

That said...I STILL can't believe my BABY has graduated kindergarten! In the blink of an eye we've gone from your first day of school ever to your last day of your kindergarten year!

...And from the first day we dropped you off at school for your first day....to today! 

I mean...look how much you've grown! It's madness, madness I say!!!!!!

But, mad or not, here we are! And we'll do this together!

Let's graduate you from Kindergarten!

It was a magical, wonderful, surprising, sweet day. You worked from home with me in the morning, and then I got the honor of escorting you to school for the ceremony!

We met up with your co-graduates, and family started to trickle in...Mimi and Pops, Yaya, Mommy, and Aidan!

And then we were whisked to your very special P2 Classroom for the ceremony.

Because Miss Lisa went next door to P1 to attend her son's graduation...MOMMY - I mean Miss Holly - got to help graduate you! How cool is that?

So Miss Holly read this amazing book, and each of you were called out as Miss Mary said some thoughtful remarks about you.

Miss Mary and Miss Lisa chose the following three words to describe you: Witty, Motivated, Creative...and we couldn't agree more. 

The reception had sunny faces and warm hugs-- and a bit of rain, but that didn't stop the fun with friends, your teachers Ms. Lisa and Ms. Mary, as well as your gardening teacher Ms. Ginger and your music teacher Ms. Wheeler:

I got to take you to lunch at her favorite restaurant, and hang out/work (you decided to transcribe a book) with you a bit more at home, before you left the nest to go on a playdate with one of your BFFs Zoey:

Fortunately, you came back to the nest not too long after. Although you're a graduate, none of us are quite ready yet for you to spread your wings too far!

You are an amazing young woman, Julia. You're an awesome kindergarten graduate:

By your own admission you are funny, brave, smart, and creative. You know who you are, and we see you and love you...and can't wait to be by your side on this next step of your amazing journey!

Onward an upward to Lower Elementary!