Preschool Graduation!

What an amazing year it has been for Lila in preschool!  I didn't know what to expect from 4 year old preschool, I kind of thought it would be more of the same from 3 year old preschool, but I was wrong.  Lila did happen to be in the blue room again with the same teachers, Mrs. O'Connell & Mrs. Rosencrants, but her days looked different this year.  She was in a two day program last year, but this year she jumped to a three day schedule with an extended class day on Wednesdays. Other than the different schedule the biggest change was her development.  I know, I know, she is a year older so she is further along, but to really see the development in the papers she brought home and the workbooks she started at the beginning of the year and finished at the end...it was pretty awesome!  I definitely think 3 year preschool was educational, but almost more from a social skills standpoint.  The 4 year old curriculum was heavily geared towards writing, math, and the beginning of reading!

Lila had a great year in the blue room and was super excited for her last day!  This year was different, she will go back to the same school, but it won't be for preschool, rather Kindergarten!  So, this particular "graduation" was special...she is truly moving on!

The graduation begins with the kids performing a few songs for the parents!  Each of the songs were so cute and all of the kids did a great job performing in front of the parents staring back at them!

"Y-E-L-L-O-W spells Yellow!"

To see a video of the kids singing "Goodbye" click here.  

After the performances each of the children were called up to the front of the room to accept their certificate and a book given to them by their teachers as a gift for finishing the year.  As each child approached the front the teachers told a small tidbit about the child and they took a bow or curtsied!

Being presented with her certificate!

Once each child was presented with their certificate and gift it was time for pictures!  Lila had a group of girls that she was thick as thieves with!  It was hard for these girls to let each other go as they are all going to different schools next year, one of the saddest things about growing up!

Lila & her besties!  (Sofie, Lila, Lauren, Maya & Jorja)

Lila & Mrs. Rosencrants

Lila & Mrs. O'Connell

Attempting a class photo!

After her graduation we had a special celebratory lunch and then a quick stop at Orange Leaf to top it off with a sweet treat!  As I look at these pictures from this special day I can't help but feel unbelievably proud of our little girl!  She is growing into a smart, funny, and caring little girl.  While it is unbelievable to think that she will be going into Kindergarten, we are so excited for her future and know that she is ready to conquer school with everything she has!

A sweet treat!

Sleeping Arrangements!

In Lila's short little life she has had a few different sleeping arrangements...

Hospital accommodations!

Her first few weeks at home in Mommy & Daddy's room!

Snug as a bug in her crib!

Her bed has been a constant.  For almost three years she has laid her sweet head down in her crib.  Night after night we tucked her in and every morning we look over the side of the crib and she would smile up at you welcoming another day!

We knew that it was time to make the transition from her crib to a big girl bed, but we didn't quite know the best way to go about it.  Do we convert her crib to the toddler bed that it can become or do we just pull the band-aid off and convert it all the way to the full bed? 

We decided a month or so ago that we would go ahead and just jump from the crib to the "big girl" bed.  We had all of the pieces needed to make the conversion, it was just a matter of time.  When was she ready?  More importantly...when were Mom and Dad ready?!  For some reason her bed was kind of hard for me.  I feel like it was almost like a security blanket, for all of us.  Lila feels safe, it is truly the only bed she knows.  The sides wrap around her as to protect her from the world outside.  For Mike and I it was much of the same thing.  She never climbed the sides, always respecting the boundaries of the four sides, we knew she was safe and sound. 

What kind of adjustments would a new bed bring?  We were about to find out!  Lila took her last nap in her crib this afternoon and then, with her blessing, Daddy broke her crib down and turned it into a bed...a bed that seems VERY large, might I add!



Saying goodbye!

One last go around!

Her bedding came as a gift this Christmas from my Mom!  I have to admit, I was pretty excited to see it all put together, but I didn't know that my emotions would soon get the best of me when it was all there right in front of me, the tears fell!  How can our baby girl be growing up so quickly?

A bed fit for a princess!

And here is that princess...

happy as can be...

loving every second of growing up!

Sweet dreams Lila Louise!

There wasn't even the slightest bit of a fight tonight when we put you to bed, not a peep, you were so brave as you closed your sleepy eyes!  We hit a milestone tonight...you are turning into the most amazing little girl!  As excited as we are for you, please don't grow-up too fast!  We love you!