Graduation Day

Oh Layla bear.

  My little girl.  My long arms and legs, bright smile and sparkling eyed 5 year old finished her preschool. And because we were doing homework and having long talks about friends and recess dynamics, and planning summer days it all came so naturally.

your last day of school pose

Celena and Ahmed

Celena and Jude- your best buds

Last day of school ends with dress up..

Celena LOVED baby Hope

Fia loved getting to celebrate your last day with you...

 I thought I might cry more, I thought I might have sadness settle in more than I would want. But instead I was surprised at how natural it felt…you finishing a school year and sisters being taken along to watch and planning how we can make it special for you…another milestone reached.

 It was no small thing, KG 2 graduation. Your class practiced for weeks leading up to the end of school and our family was able to preview the songs and dances as your pranced around home performing them…ahem...many many times.

 Then after school is over, you are shuttled for 3 whole days from 8-2 to the auditorium to have dress rehearsals. I mean I guess it makes sense when 5 year olds are your performers.

 So when we dropped you off a couple hours earlier and told you to know that we are sooo excited to see you and you beamed with excitement, I was whispering prayers that you would not feel defeated by stage fright. Not that we care, but you sweet girl, you wanted to sing, dance and say your lines and were afraid of doing in front of some many people.

 But you shone, Claire Layla. You sang with confidence, and sang out joyfully. You saw us and Fia girl cheering you on and waved at us …you even presented the Principal with a plaque and you said your line perfectly. The celebration was over- the- top and the finale had confetti, smoke machines and a hundred balloons fall on you and all your classmate's heads.  It was quite the moment.

Afterwards your friends Isaac and Elijah waited for you and gave flowers which was surprising and made you feel so so so loved. Susu brought you a present and Fia had a balloon, and you kept saying “ This was the best day of my life... except the night I was born”

Feeling so surprised and happy to have these boys there! 

Susu made it to support Layla

the faces are so amazing in this. it was way past bed time. 

Ms Yvette the Hilarious, dramatic, fun Arabic teacher that Layla LOVES!

Ms. Zeina , Layl'a head teacher who is super gifted

Ms Marrianne, assistant teacher and the one who gave lots of care and hugs to Layla

Layla's sweet friend Nala

Happy Family !!!( minus sleeping Hope) 

 It was so fun to see an experience take you by surprise, to see you feel loved, nostalgic and  celebrated.

 SO thankful that school became a place you loved and thrived and wanted to be at.