Thursday, May 21, 2015

The Graduate

Well, friends - it happened.  Luke finished Kindergarten!



He has had THE BEST year and we are beyond grateful for his amazing, caring and passionate teacher.  He has blossomed socially, grown by leaps and bounds academically and has gained some serious confidence.





In his first year of Pre-K Luke was typically the "come on kid".  Come on, Luke - we're lining up.  Come on, Luke - we're all putting our blocks away,  Come on, Luke - it's time to switch centers.

We struggled with and prayed endlessly about the decision for him to do a second round of PreK and ultimately decided on having him do PreK again.  (I blogged all about our decision HERE).



It has been so rewarding to see Luke grow and mature this year. He LOVES school and has been a leader in his class. 


He listens well, follows directions easily and compliantly and has come into his own.  His pencil grip and handwriting has improved tenfold and his math skills are still off the charts.


He is socially aware (but not self conscious) and has made TONS of friends.


We 100% know that we made the right decision for Luke and are grateful to have him home with us for an extra year as well. :)



I love that this year he seems more "himself" - much more confident and mature and less impulsive and self-focused.  He has genuinely loved Kindergarten and we feel so blessed by the entire experience.



Last night he had a Kindergarten Graduation ceremony and it was so much fun.



He gets the wave from me :)



Both sections of MCA Kindergarten.




Receiving his diploma from the Lower School Principal, Mr. Hydock.



And receiving a hug from the AMAZING Mrs. Hamilton.


Sister bear running amok.  Because no matter how many games, snacks, etc. I bring to things like this - homegirl wants to be FREE!!!



Mason entertained himself with Cynthias glasses :)


Throughout the ceremony I was reminded of how grateful I am for the opportunity Dave and I have to send our kids to a Christian School.  Hearing his teachers and administrators pray over the kids, watching kids being honored for living a "Kingdom Life" and listening to the sweet voices of the class of 2027 recite the 26 verses that they've learned to go along with the alphabet made my heart swell with gratitude and pride.  And don't even get me started on watching them all belt out, "Oh, Happy Day" complete with hand motions. :)


Again with the wave!


Turning his tassel.


 I love that he always looks for me and smiles :)


Mason dancing for Mrs. Anderson (his Pre-K teacher for next year). He was doing a "Pre-K dance".


One last wave :)


Knox has been one of Luke's best friends this year.


We were so glad that Gram, Papa Mac, Grandma and Granny were able to come!  How special to have both sets of grandparents and two great grandmother's at your Kindergarten graduation!


Lincoln!  I have a feeling we'll be seeing lots of this kid over the summer. :)


My mom took one pic of the three of us.... thankfully we're kind of looking. hahaha


This girl was tuckered out by the end.  We popped the paci in and she was zoning.



And we always love it when we get to spend time with Uncle Stephen and Cynthia.  They looooooove my kids and I know the feelings are mutual :)


One last hug on the way out.



It was getting darn (and windy), but we snapped one last picture with Gibi and Haha.  


I still can't believe that he's in the number grades!  I feel like PreK and Kinder are still "little", but first grade is the big leagues.  Luke is so ready for first grade and I'm so ready to see him grow, mature and learn even more.  Happy Graduation, LukeMan!!!

35 comments :

  1. Yay!!! Congratulations to Luke AND to you Mama!!!

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    1. He did all the work - I just made the snacks.... and then often forgot to put them in his bag :)

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  2. Congrats Luke! He looks so grown up...The waves are just too adorable!!

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    1. He comes by them naturally... I am SUCH an awkward waver :)

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  3. How super fun! I struggled when olivia went off to kindergarten, I missed her so much, but it was so amazing to watch how much she grew up during hat first year of school!!! Loved all the pics of Luke's special night !

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  4. Beautiful!!! I loved hearing about how you decided to do a second year of PreK with Luke and how that decision has paid off with a successful Kindergarten year!

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    1. It was the best decision EVER for him! Thanks so much for reading!

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  5. Congratulations to your sweet boy! Ps. I love your dress!!! Maybe soon, you can share the details on it?? ;-)

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    1. Sure! I'll add it to my Friday Favorites list tomorrow :)

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  6. Congrats, Luke!! ❤️ He looks so big all of a sudden! So proud of him!!!

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    1. Right?!?! I need to get him in some footy PJs STAT to slow down the aging process :)

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  7. So sweet!!! The pictures of Luke with his grands and great-grands made me tear up.

    I totally get what you are saying about that extra year at the end of high school. When I taught Kindergarten I had to do all the pre-screenings and my principal gave me some advice for the parents I never forget. She said, "many times the parents want to move their child on at the beginning of their career but at the end, I've never met one who didn't want one more year at home." Thankful for that extra year for my fall bday boys too!

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    1. What a great perspective! And yes... I'm so thankful for the extra year with him at home! Thanks so much for reading :)

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    2. Melissa, I love that perspective! We chose to do the same with our April boy and now that he's in 3rd grade we are even more grateful! Time is a gift that you can never get back. =)

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  8. GO! LUKE!!!!!! Lots to be proud of with that boy!

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    1. Yes, ma'am! Maybe just not the excessive burping :) hahaha

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  9. So sweet thanks for sharing! My daughter, Molly, graduates from Kindergarten this morning. I hope I don't cry!

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    1. Be strong, mama! I thought I might cry - but I didn't! I am so so so proud of him and so excited to see what's in store for his future. The excitement and pride was greater than the sadness. But maybe pack some tissues just in case :)

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  10. Congratulations Luke on graduating kindergarten. Congrats to the McAnally family for graduating (in a way) with Luke. Love the pictures. Andrea -would you please do a post on the 26 verses that go with the alphabet that Luke learned. That's one I have not heard of. Thanks.

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    1. Sure! I'll see if I can find his paper with all of them listed and post it tomorrow

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  11. Congratulations to Luke! I agree with you in feeling so blessed that we can send our kids to a faith based school (Catholic for us). Since I work at the school as well, I always tear up when it comes to prayer services, service projects, and special days like First Communion or my upcoming 8th grade graduation Mass. It's a precious thing to be able to talk and learn about God in our daily life at school. Plus, we make a big deal out of celebrations such as graduations! Way to go Luke on having such a great year!

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    1. Agreed! Mike Huckabee spoke at an event we hosted a couple of years ago and he talked about how when you drop off your kids at public school that oftentimes their faith is being undermined throughout the day, and that when you're able to send them to a faith based school it's underwritten. I LOVED that and am grateful for teachers, students and administrators who underwrite what we teach at home.

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  12. Awesome!! Go Luke!! I'm so glad it has been a great year! let the summer fun begin!!

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    1. WOO HOO!!! Except there's like 10+ days of rain forecasted so I may be ready for him to go back to school next week. hahaha (totally kidding, but seriously! SO MUCH RAIN!!!)

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    2. ugh!! it wont stop raining here either!! The high tomorrow is only 66. Blah. I am ready for the pool, splash pad, the zoo, maybe even hiding in the air conditioned house while Jack plays in the sandbox out back. haha.

      I have resorted to letting Jack play and dance in the rain a few times. It got us out of the house at least!

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  13. He is so cute! Their little graduation ceremony is so precious and looks so well orchestrated. Loved your dress, too!!

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  14. This reminds me of the school I graduated from. A small Christian school in Carrollton (CCA). My mom is now the K teacher there. I am so grateful they sent me and my 3 siblings to a Christian school. It really helped shape who I am today and sheltered me from many things when I was young (in a good way).

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  15. On a different note...how does that dress fit? I have been eyeing it but worry about the top on someone with a very top curvy figure and no hips. Would it work?

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  16. Congratulations to you all! :) Luke looks so confident in his cap & gown!

    Dominick starts Pre-K this fall in a small christian school and I am so excited for him, sad but excited. Sending your first baby off to school is so bittersweet!

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  17. Congrats to Luke!! My oldest set of twins just graduated Kinder too!! Crazy to think that they're going to first grade next year!! :) your kids are just adorable! And don't worry you're not the only one with the baby running around during a function! Mine is a runner that's for sure!

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  18. So sweet! We homeschool, and my daughter is 'ahead' but I just recently notified the school district that we were repeating a grade just so I can keep her home until she's 18. I just want that extra year at the end! Haha she's only 6 right now, but I know already that it goes too fast!

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  19. I taught for 30 yrs. you gave him the best gift a patent can give their child! Especially a boy! Job well done mom and dad!

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  20. Good post and useful information. Thanks for sharing the Post
    Regards,
    Kindergarten school

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