A Fond Farewell...for now

Okay...I feel like I just wrote the post about Bethany starting preschool.
Seriously. Wasn't that yesterday?

Well, guess what? We have a graduate on our hands. It is so exciting!
Yesterday, Bethany dressed in cap and gown for a very sweet little graduation ceremony at our beloved Evergreen Cottage Preschool. Oh, it was so wonderful! I love that place. She does too but she was so excited to "gradserate" that she counted down to the day all week!

Here she is, filing in with all the other cute little ones! They even played the graduation music!

A smile for her daddy as she passes.

And one for Ben when she spots him.

They recited some things they have learned, including the Pledge of Allegiance. They used these cute little flags that they passed down their row "take one and pass it" style. I don't know why but I was quite impressed with how well they did this! Haha, I guess that, as parents, we are always impressed by all the little things our children are capable of!

The little ceremony was so sweet. They called the kids up one by one and Miss Ashley, one of the teachers, told everyone what made each child special. I loved this. I haven't been able to spend time helping in the classroom, considering the boys are at home with me, and it was great to have the chance to get to know all the children she has been spending hours with in the last two years! Better late than never, right?
Of course, our favorite moment was when Miss Ashley told all about sweet Bethany and what makes her special. She said that Bethany's beautiful brown eyes are what she first notices about her each day. That Bethany is an artist and loves to spend time coloring pictures for others. She said that often during the time of day when the kids have "free choice" and can play with whatever they want, Bethany can often be found coloring pictures for her friends. She has practiced her writing a lot and can usually write each child's name on their picture. Miss Ashley also talked about how much Bethany loves Mr. Rob (who happens to be the husband of Miss Jody and the dad of Miss Ashley...cute little family preschool) who sometimes comes by to fix things and visit. Miss Ashley said that was special to her because it makes her happy knowing somebody else thinks her dad is great too. :) She talked about how Bethany is very curious (amen!) and loves to learn. Then she said that what she loves most about Bethany is that she is so kind and loving, especially to the other children. (And she started crying while she said this, which made me cry of course...)
I thought it was so very sweet listening to Miss Ashley talk about each child because it was very obvious that these teachers truly do know and love all the children there.
Miss Jody talked a little then, telling a story about when she opened the preschool. She, Miss Ashley and Miss Tawna (who I haven't actually met before, not sure when she teaches there, but she sure seemed nice!) all needed to get TB shots when they opened the preschool back in 2003. The doctor they visited to get this done had, on her wall, her preschool diploma hung along with all her other diplomas. (And she started crying while she said this, which made me cry of course...) How very sweet!
I loved her story because it reminded me of how important these early years are for children! And I know that, for my kids, preschool at Evergreen Cottage will be a wonderful memory.
Then it was time for these guys to get their own diplomas!

Miss Jody and Miss Ashley with Miss Bethany and her new diploma!

...this is what James did the whole time...

Here is the whole class! So sweet!
Miss Jody and Miss Ashley are such loving teachers.

Ben congratulates the new graduate!

It seems like just yesterday I was taking a picture of her in this same spot on her very first day!

The first graduation in our little family. :)

Grandma Trudie shared it with us.

As did Grandma Teri.

We know there are so many others who would have gladly joined us if daily duties didn't call! Darn those daily duties! Especially since...

There were desserts.

James spent a few quality moments with his napkin.
Before he could wipe his face with it, he had to gently unfold it...

Every. layer. of. it.

And...
there we go.
Finally usable.

Ben tested out the play equipment like he does every time we go there!
He looks forward to his turn at preschool so much!

I loved these silhouettes that they did as the backdrop for the cute little ceremony. Bethany is in the lower right corner. (This silhouette was also on a mothers' day card she gave me. So cute.)

I love how her cute short hair is all spikey in the back and her looong eyelashes are evident. Such a pretty girl, even as an outline!

One last shot with her beloved teachers!

Bethany loved her two years at Evergreen Cottage. Her teachers, her friends, and all the fun ways they do things there will be very missed! I am so so grateful to these lovely ladies for getting our start into the academic world underway and in such a special way!
I know Bethany will have a great summer and a wonderful time at kindergarten (gasp) next year!
I would be sad about saying goodbye to Evergreen, but...

They're not getting rid of us for a few years yet.