Maile had her Kindergarten celebration.
Her class sang songs while us parents cried on the inside.
Because ten months ago our little ones couldn’t read.
And now when I tell Pat I want him to pick up some c-a-n-d-y at the grocery store, Maile’s little brain starts working and five minutes later she says, “you want candy mom?? Is Daddy getting you candy?”
Maile is sad because she loves school.
She said she cried on the bus because she was going to miss her teacher. And her friends.
Where did my clingy little mama’s girl go?
Was it not just yesterday that I sent her off to school with first day jitters?
When they finished singing their songs, we all clapped wildly, and the teacher looked at her class proudly and said, “Okay Kindergartners you did a wonderful job! Now go give your love away!”
They each pulled heart necklaces from under their shirts and scurried to give their love away as instructed.
Thank goodness Maile’s still giving all her love away to me!
I don’t think I can handle two more rounds of this…someone make me more babies…STAT!
Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation says
Ahhhh!! How sweet! What a great post! Love your pictures. Time flies, I can’t believe that Sadie already finished her 1st year of preschool. Congrats to Maile and more importantly, congrats to you for making it through the year!
Erin says
That’s so wonderful!! Sheesh it does seem like just yesterday I was reading about her going! Time is definitely flying!
Congrats to her and congrats to you that she is still giving you all her love!
Momlissa says
Awww, the necklace idea is so sweet. Time is most definitely going by too quickly!
Allison @ Alli 'n Son says
Why or why do kids have to get older? It’s just not fair.
I love that she gave you her love. How sweet is that?
Los says
Time flies … I remember standing at the bus stop, waiting for bus number 3 to come down the hill to pick me up my first day of Kindergarten …
June Freaking Cleaver says
If it’s any consolation at all, it DOES get a little easier each time they reach a milestone – but it’s still a bittersweet moment.
And with every year, it seems the passages from one stage to another keep coming a little.bit.faster.
Rebecca says
Thanks for ruining my makeup this morning. If I can barely get through your story, how will I get through when the Crazies go off to school??? Arghhhh…too real…must go back to make-believe land!
I love love love the part where they gave their “love” away. So sweet!
Gina says
Awwww…what a sweet post. Sounds like she had a fabulous teacher…I hope you love the first grade teacher just as much.
Jen says
Ok, I have decided that Hayden’s school sucks. He did not get a graduations. He did not get to do a 100 Things project. He just has a teacher that doesn’t like him and thinks that he has ADD. *sigh*
And I have to say, that the love necklace is the cutest thing ever.
Jennifer says
Would it be alright if I just hide my Baby Girl in the closet and not send her to Kindergarten? My heart is already sad at all the growing up.
Bethany says
Maybe it’s mean of me to say – but that bus driver cracks me up! I don’t even know her, but I love her!
Many more moments like this to come for you!
Amy says
Babies grow up….I too wanted BABIES and now I have a teenager…boo!
Congrats to your cutie pie! I love how she smiles and squints her eyes…nothing cuter than that! :)
The Stephanie says
Awe. So cute!
My baby graduated from Kinder this year. Sad how fast they grow, right?
Michelle says
Awww!
Via says
I love the last picture :)
kisatrtle says
You forgot the part about when the introduce the class of 2022 and you think Seriously?? Wow.
My little boy didn’t have a ceremony, but he is my youngest. No more kindergarten for us. It’s bittersweet.
Mrs. Jenkins says
OMG! She is so adorable. My son is 3 and I can’t wait til he finally starts school it seems like a wonderful experience. I remember one of your past post where you had problems with her going to school but see she’s all finish now.
Scott ( This Daddy) says
That was very sweet.
Kathy says
awwwww that was so sweet!! She’s a 1st grader now mama…get ready!
Lyzbeth says
The honstey of your posting shines through
Ashley says
OK thanks alot.. im all teary eyed at work now…
Brittany @ Not Your Average Teen says
You never fail at rekindling me with my past… My baby brother just finished 1st grade and my mom’s tears about her “babies growing up” made me realize that even at 18 I will always be my momma’s baby! :)
Congrats to you and your little one! Here’s to a great education for all your kiddos.
Much love.
Katherine says
It’s so hard to see little ones growing up. The love necklaces are darling. How can it be that I’m excited for all their new milestones, but each moment they grow up kills me more and more?
Kimmy says
*sigh* I feel ya mama! I do. Mine just finished 2nd grade and it just *gulp* make’s. me. sick! I wish I could just freeze time and hold onto my baby. Fortunately, my baby still needs her mama and misses me when we are together. I super puffy heart her!!!!!
Cheryl says
I heart that heart! My son also just graduated from kindergarten. They didn’t do any kind of ceremony, though, which is probably just as well. Saved on kleenex and makeup remover for those Tammy Faye Baker mascara smears that were going to happen.
Shelley says
Oh my gosh, I love this post. It’s so sweet and pulls at the heartstrings! Maile is growing up so fast! Time to have another one! ;-)
Shelley says
P.S- That picture of Pat hugging Maile is so stinkin precious.
Rebecca is Thrilled by the THought says
I’m tearing up and I don’t even know you! I can barely handle my 2 year old being almost 3. How will I ever handle Kindergarten????
lucy says
These pictures are great. I’m sorry your little girl is a kindergarten graduate :( I can imagine that must be hard. I can’t even believe my baby is going to be eating real food pretty soon. Where did my newborn go?!
pam-tastic says
Awwweeee…wasn’t it just a couple of weeks ago that she was NOT wanting to go to school?!? Now look at her and her kindergarten-graduated self! Now she’s a “grader” :-)
Jennifer June says
My youngest is 14 years old. She’s taller than me, tough as a nail and too cool for school.
I still cry at her stupid class concerts.
She pretends it’s embarrassing but I can tell she secretly likes it, the little weirdo.
Tricia says
You are so lucky to live in such an incredible place, with incredible schools, that do awesome stuff like this…oh, and you are super lucky your children are so amazing! The love necklace gave me goosebumps, and she gave her love to you. Melting. My son would give his to dad….or his Mario character stuffed animals. Or his rabbit.
Kimberly says
Wow! I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep it together when I have to go through that either! She’s so cute though :-)
Lourie says
That is sweet. For some reason my oldest did not get a kindergarten graduation. Little middle did…and well the boy we have another year before we find that out!
You will be fine. I promise.
Michelle says
Do you think that bus driver would let me borrow her pants?
Jenners says
How is this happening to our babies!!!???? My Little One is next door at his very first sleepover!!!!!!!!!!
Stepping On Cheerios says
That is so sweet. I felt the same way at Pucks Preschool graduation….sniff, sniff!
SaucyB says
omg, now i have tears in my eyes too. So touching that your little one loves school so much that she cried because she was going to miss her teacher and friends. special, special times
Stephanie says
The first step to her independence! Time will fly by now!
alexis says
she is so adorable. and what an amazing speller! :)
Valorie says
Awww. She’s so cute! :) I remember my mom *actually* cried at my kindergarten graduation…and middle school…and high school…and when she drove me to college… Kudos on only crying on the inside!
–Valorie
Michelle says
What a big milestone! Congratulation Maile!
Tracy P. says
Awww!! I think the kindergarten thing is the most bittersweet of all. But so sweet that it makes the bitter worth it. She has a great foundation for loving school.
Emmy says
Awe what a sweet post. It is a bitter sweet day indeed.
Sheree says
Just wait till they finish elementary school and you have to attend the parent orientation for middle school….. Yeah you’ll cry then. Not only because your a proud parent but because you know what hell is about to greet your child in middleschool, oh and the fact that you’re no longer be the cool parent and they would most likely rather eat a slug than be seen with you in public.
Erin@ Nirvana Mamma says
What a beautiful idea the teacher had. I would’ve already been crying, and that would’ve started me balling like a baby.