Family Redefined: 5K Graduation Celebration

Disclaimer:
There are LOTS of pictures attached to this post... I'm sure many will be boring to most people, but they are here for me, and I love them... I'm just sharing them with you. Not one of them looks the same to me (probably do to you) and they all make my heart smile differently.... they are all my baby girl...with that, here is my post.

Yesterday we had the 5K Graduation program for our little Anna Clare. It was so nice. I actually dread going to these programs though... for one reason and one reason only. They are so stinkin' emotional for me. It's not bad enough that they show pictures of the kids from the time they were in 3K thru 5K, but then they play sappy music to go along with it... like the pictures weren't enough to make me cry? Please! I'm probably the only one in the world who gets so emotional over a graduation program! It's just a slap in the face reminder of how quickly they are growing. Blink and a school year passes. She is headed off to first grade soon. I don't have a baby anymore... she was my baby and now she's really growing up. I can't imagine what I will be like when the first one graduates from High School.... I'll be a mess!

There kids are AWESOME - especially my Anna Clare

It was a great program though. The kids did an excellent job. The morning started our kinda funny though. We got to get up a little late, since we didn't have to have them to school until a bit later and Tim and I were not going into work in the morning so we could see the program. Anna popped out of bed, all ready to go (because it was program day... otherwise she is like trying to push a boulder out of bed - uphill). She put on her fancy dress and then we went to do her hair. I got her little braids in and picked two little bows for her hair, got them all situated.... and then Anna said she could not wear bows in her hair. She said it would mess with her cap. Mind you the bows were on the end of her two little braids, almost near the bottom of her hair line. I told her it would be fine, they were cute and we were leaving them in... she was not happy. Surely she would not be able to put her cap on!

We got to the school at about 7:45 and Tim and I were able to go into the gym (which they said would open at 8:00 for parents) and get a front row seat. 5K graduation is a pretty big deal, so we were happy to get a good seat. Included in the 5K graduation is the 3K and 4K programs. So, in all, there were about 150 kids in the program. Multiply that by parents and grandparents, siblings that came to see them, and the gym is FULL! But, WE got a front row seat.

I'll get back to the graduation, but first I have to say that the elementary school principal, Mrs. Bryant came and spoke to me and Tim. She said that Anna has done absolutely remarkable. Mrs. Bryant has been with us through thick and thin with Anna. She prayed with us for Anna, she rejoiced with Anna in the one green ticket she got every once in awhile when she was going through the really rough periods. She worked through Anna's issues with us, and it was TRULY appreciated. Anna loves her, and she loves Anna - that is clear. She handles discipline with love - and that love just sticks on kids. It has stuck on Anna. Mrs. Bryant said that she missed seeing us.... sorry, but we didn't miss seeing her :) We miss her, but are happy that we are not having to visit her! She commented, like many, many other have, how Anna has changed like night and day. She told us the story of how Anna rushed up to her one day and told her that she was saved! She was SO proud of that. She told the world! I still believe that Anna's salvation had something to do with the change in her. You don't get saved and be unchanged. Anna is changed. Her little sweet spirit RADIATES through her. I was SO PROUD of her up on that stage.

Ok, back to the program.... The 3K did their program, the 4K did their program and then came the 5K. They walked in, in their cap and gowns - and eveyone stood up... as if it were a wedding and the bride was walking in. It was so sweet. The kids came in to the traditional graduation music and filed up onto the stage, and started their program. Anna was in the front row! Her teacher, Mrs. Langnecker, had tipped us off as to which side of the stage Anna would be on, so we were nearly right in front of her. She was so pleased to see us! Anna had two small speaking parts and then played the handbells in two songs. They also had group songs that the entire 5K did.

Mrs. Bryant introducing the 5K class

Anna in one of her hand bell songs (doesn't she look like she is concentrating so hard???)

Also, notice the boy in the hat - George Washington.... I'm eyeing him up for Anna's future mate ;)

Anna in her first speaking part - she did SO well!

5K singing praises!

Doesn't it just bring tears to your eyes when children lift their hands in priase? And Anna's are SO way up there! You go my little girl!!!

Another hand bell song. All the kiddos did great!

Anna's handbell in action!

Deep in thought

Bells in action!

Wait for it.....

Now it's my turn again...

Done!

Anna waiting her turn for her next speaking part

She made it through with no issue - if only she would have been smiling... I guess memorizing and smiling don't go real well together

She looks strange in this picture... but she's waving to me - that's my girl!!!

George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Uncle Sam made their presence at the program. The kids were ADORABLE!

Leave it to Anna.... remember the cap issue - her bows were going to interfere with her cap. Well, they didn't. However, about 1/2 way through the program, Anna's cap got bumped as another child was walking past her and her cap came off. Anna's was the only one! So, she played with it through part of the program :) First I thought... ooohhhh STOP playing with that. But then I thought... who cares. That is my Anna! It's her day!

Here she is, with the hat off her head... notice she is the only one. Cute hair bows though!

Finally got it back on her head - making final adjustments :)

At this point, she is probably praying it will stay on!

It's staying on for now...

After the program, all of the 5K kids were escorted off the stage and Mrs. Bryant presented one of the 5K moms with a check. Her son has been battling Leukemia since November. He had to leave school to get treatment. They found out just recently he is in remission. Praise God!!! Anyway, throughout the school year the kids raised money (just by placing jars in each classroom) and they were able to raise over $4500 for this family. They presented the check to the mom at graduation!

The kids singing