olivia's last days at ccdc...

were so sweet!! it has been the perfect preschool for her. i feel like god answered my prayers when olivia was given a spot in the baby room 5 years ago. ms. stacy and ms. sharon cared for her in the sweetest ways. they encouraged her to crawl and even walk that year. then she moved up to the toddler 1 class. ms. pam and ms. melissa always had a fun story to share about how olivia talked all day and made them smile. her first year of "real" preschool brought ms. anderson and ms. lacy into our lives. they made learning so much fun! you never really knew what crazy hat they would be wearing or what the room was going to be transformed into for the week. they also loved olivia for exactly who she was. her 3 year old preschool year we were once again blessed. ms. cavenaugh and ms. goreshi gave olivia the perfect environment for her to gain a passion for learning and school. they also taught her so much about jesus through the songs they sang, and stories they shared, and their example. and that brings me to this year's teachers- ms. clark and ms. bosch. these ladies are so special and that is exactly how they make olivia feel, like she is the most important student in the class. her days this year have begun and ended with GIANT hugs and smiles from each of them. ms. clark has challenged olivia in all the right ways and encouraged her to be the child god created her to be. ms. bosch has connected with olivia and her love for learning. i know she has spent so much time nurturing her. this little school has the most encouraging and loving staff. each of olivia's teachers have been such a blessing and helped shape her love of learning and the little girl that she has become.

on tuesday of last week we (the parents and families) were invited to a celebration. olivia and all the 4 year olds sang several of their favorite songs they have learned through their years at ccdc. olivia LOVES being on the stage and singing, even though she gets nervous. :)

then after the singing and dancing, each child was called up to get their award and a cross necklace for completing preschool. they don't really call it graduation, but i guess that is what it was.

waiting nervously for her name to be called.

she walked so fast that we didn't get a picture of the award or necklace exchange. :)

the fun then moved out to the courtyard where we had a big family picnic with all of her friends from her class, their families, and of course ms. clark and ms. bosch.

o and ms. clark

o and ms. bosch

it was a special day. the last two days (wednesday and thursday) were filled with lots of fun and soaking in all the friendship, laughter, and love that olivia has experienced over the last several years.

i was really fine on the last day. no tears or anything. i credit this to several different things. first, jack is going to be there again in the fall so i don't really feel like i am closing this chapter completely, yet!! i am a super slow processor. it will probably hit me in about a month the reality that olivia is going to school 5 days a week and we are moving from one "stage" of life to another. and finally, she is so excited and ready for kindergarten!! i know she is going to LOVE it!!

so another milestone is met, this one like so many of the others, with joy in my heart and gratitude that i have been given the priviledge to be called mommy by this special little girl and get to experience all that her life is right along side of her.