I had to fight back the tears today at my oldest daughter’s end of the year (kindergarten) picnic. And I didn’t even get to stay the whole time to see what her teacher gave the class, which would have surely brought on the water works! 

When did I get old enough for her to be finished with her first year of school?! 

It was tough enough last week when she came home and described in great detail what went on during the fifth grade graduation. She knew more about it than the people who actually attended! She said the parents came and walked their child down the isle. Yep. Got choked up at this. Then she moved to wardrobe. What the boys wore: “they wore what Daddy wears to work. A button up shirt and a long tie.” Her greatest details involved the dresses worn by the girls. One in particular was a “white dress with skinny straps and a blue stripe going this way.” She demonstrated to me where the stripe started and ended, “and she had on matching shoes. it was really pretty.” I said it sounded like she was ready to shop for her fifth grade graduation dress (already). She just smiled ear to ear and nodded with confidence, "yes."

In two days, she will be officially done with her first year of school. I only have 12 more first and last days, 12 more back to school shopping weekends, 12 more first day of school pictures ... what’s a mother to do? As a parent, I couldn’t be prouder of her growth and achievement this year. She reads to me now and her siblings. The list of what she learned and accomplished goes on and the best thing is that she is proud of herself! She definitely enjoys sharing with us what she can do. I have an entire of summer to be lazy, have fun, and go on cool adventures with her, but I will miss my baby.

Congratulations LKD and the class of 2024!