It's Official...We're Going to Kindergarten!!

This morning, our sweet Caroline "graduated" from TK! This was such a milestone for her and our family. Last year, we slightly struggled with the whole TK thing. We signed her up and knew that this was where she needed to be, but I still had a few lingering questions in the back of my mind. I can now say that we are 100% certain that we did the right thing. I cannot say enough positive things about transitional kindergarten. I won't get on my soapbox, but if you are thinking about doing it for your child, you will not regret it!

Caroline cracked us up when she walked in. First of all, the teachers had that graduation song playing (I can't think of the name of the song) and then all these tiny kids marched in. It was so cute! Caroline is such a shy little girl and she gets embarrassed VERRRRRRY easily. This is how she walked in:

.....and she stood like this for a little bit:

The class wowed the parents by performing the pledge to the American flag and the Christian flag, saying all 66 books of the Bible, and other things they learned. Then they sang a few praise songs. (Caroline is behind the boy in the green shirt):

They learned the Fruit of the Spirit this year and so each child received a "Fruit of the Spirit Award". We beamed with pride when Caroline received the award for showing Faithfulness throughout the year:

Then she received her diploma:

Each graduate drew themselves on a huge banner. Here is Caroline's rendition of herself...smock and all!!!

Sweet Charlotte was an angel during the program. She sat like this the whole time. Thank you, Jesus, for Charlotte!!!! She is a blessing:)

Afterwards we went to a little reception where cake and punch were served. Caroline got to spend some time with some of her friends,too:






And here she is with her teachers, Ms. Helen and Ms. Melissa. I absolutely hate that this year is finished mainly because of these two ladies. They are great teachers and have made Caroline's year so wonderful. They have amazed me with their patience and alllllll the cool art and activities they do each week. It is obvious that they love what they do and they have definitely been our WeeSchool faves:

And speaking of "moving up", today this guy finished his first year of preschool and LOVED it! He had sweet teachers, too. Each school day, Ms. Cathy and Ms. Stacy met each child at the classroom door, on their knees at the child's eye level, and had their arms opened for a hug. I loved that! Roy Austin started the year wearing diapers, and then pull-ups to school, and now my big boy is in underwear!! He is SOOO excited that next fall, his class will be upstairs with the "big kids" and he gets to go to a new playground!!!

So to celebrate our kindergartner-to-be, we had a special cake for dessert tonight. Kindergarten or BUST!!!! We are definitely ready!