This morning, I let you sleep until 8am. When you finally woke up, you were very excited to put your graduation dress on. A short time later, Ms. Sandy & Grandma Weezie arrived. Ms. Sandy gave you a balloon, flowers and a card that played a song and moved which you loved! Grandma Weezie gave you a necklace with your initials on it. It was so pretty! You wore the necklace, the new ring I gave you and we wore our matching bracelets for your big day!
We dropped you off at school and walked across the street to the building where the ceremony was. As soon as I walked in the building I was emotional. Everything was decorated with such cute photos, awards and artwork from all the graduates and I was just overcome with pride and joy. I cried a lot and everyone was teasing me. I can’t help it. I’m so proud of you and excited to see you continue to learn and grow into the smart, strong, beautiful woman you are meant to become…but I’m still dumbfounded that time has gone so quickly. When the ceremony began, you walked out first, accompanied by Pomp & Circumstance (certainly an emotional song) with your voice recording saying “My name is Giovanna Koontz. I’m five years old and when I grow up I want to be a firefighter.” The tears flowed freely from then on!!! You received your diploma, showed me your ring on the way back down the aisle, then the performances began. Your class sang slippery fish together, then each graduate recited a nursery rhyme and then sang “I’ll go to Kindergarten When I’m Five!” After the performances, they played a video montage of photos from the last three years along with music. You were sitting on my lap while we watched this. I had my arms wrapped around you, kissing you while tears rolled down my face. You are remarkable. You are awe inspiring. You are leaving preschool and entering Kindergarten as a smart, strong, confident, funny, caring young girl. I am so proud of you I can feel it in my core. I love you so much! We took some photos and then headed to the after party.
The after party was at a huge arcade with tons of games and room to run and play. The photo booth was definitely more popular with the parents than the kids because none of you wanted to stop playing to take pictures!!!
We headed home after the party and relaxed for about an hour then Bianca and Becky arrived. You guys immediately started playing and you were reenacting graduation with Bianca. We made dinner then watched Raya and had popcorn. Both of you were pretty tired and I thought you were both going to fall asleep snuggling on me during the movie. You didn’t but when the movie ended, we took you both to bed and you were snoring in 30 seconds. This was a HUMONGUS day for you. I am so proud of you. I will always be proud of you no matter what. Although you will graduate many many more times in your life, today will ALWAYS hold a very special place in my heart.
I love you so much sweet girl!!!
