Abbey is officially in high school. Last night she graduated from elementary school in a beautiful ceremony. This class is so special…really they are. One of the administrators said it was the best class she has ever seen come through, and she has been there for a long long time. They all get along so well, and they all truly care about each other.
Abbey giving her class president speech:
One of her favorite teachers, and ours too of course. She teaches writing and literature and boy does she have a way with students.
I held it together well till I had to take a picture of these two then I just lost it. Abbey and Catherine met in 4 year old preschool and have always been close. It seems like just yesterday they were dressing up in princess clothes and playing with Polly Pockets.
When we finally called it a night, we presented Abbey with something she has been waiting years for.
And it’s time for bed. Don’t I look tired? I always do!
Aww, what a wonderful celebration for you all! Huge congratulations to Abbey (and you, because we all know how much mums do to get their kids there). She looks super cute in that outfit.
You must be so incredibly proud! I wish we could afford Catholic school for our children…I hope one day. These pictures and memories that you share, and the small class size makes me yearn for that for my little ones! I attended Catholic school all my life and in 8th grade the 7th graders also put on the reception at our school! Congrats to Abbey! (And to you too!)
where do you LIVE? it is beautiful!!!
Abbey is WONDERFUL! And her outfit, too! Congratulations, Sarah!!
She is so pretty! I LOVE that photo with the new cell phone – cute!
She will love that one years down the road.
And I love seeing you in the pictures! Beautiful mother and daughter!
Happy Graduation!
awesome.
this is a happy tearful post. 🙂
What special memories. She looks sweet in her dress and hair flower.
sarah-abbey looks so pretty and you don't look tired at all…just happy! don't you sometimes think how fast life is going…can you believe two in high school??!!
i miss our little catholic school in alexandria and the closeness of those kids who have spent 8+ years together.
have a great weekend.
Congratulations to Abbey – she exudes beauty and grace and I can see she gets it from you (you do NOT look tired!). I even got a little sappy and teary at the pic of Abbey and her friend, thinking of my now 4 and 6 year old kids and the friends they have, imagining them headed off to high school with the same good friends. I can only hope. I bet she's thrilled about the phone! I have the same one 😉
Emily@remodelingthislife
Congrats to Abbey and her parents. What a beautiful, meaningful and fun way to end her junior high years and transition to high school. Also, what a gorgeous place for a school!
what a great celebration! Abby looks beautiful!! Love the flower in her hair! Congrats to you and Abby!!
Congrats Abbey! She looks so grown up. I love the flower in her hair. It must be great to have such a small class, they all seem so close. The picture of them running to the water is priceless. 🙂
Awww, congrats to Abbey! (and she looked beautiful!) We'll be graduating next year….. it feels so weird. Our school does it the same way, 7th grade puts on the reception, but we do graduation in the morning and the reception is a lunch. Oh, and I cried a little looking at the picture of Abbey and her friend… just thinking of next year……. ugh!
Awe happy graduation day to her! It looks like she had a great one and remember that day forever! As i'm sure you will too. Great pictures. 🙂
love that all the girls look so pretty and feminine. Beautiful pictures and memory's too.
Also, thanks for the advice about having your kids fold their arms when you talk to them. I tried it yesterday and they laughed ( just like you said !). It also made me a little calmer ( also just like you said !). You are awesome.
I just came across your blog in the last few weeks… so delightful!
Congrats on your daughters graduation – such a bittersweet time for you I'm sure.
You don't look tired, Sarah, you just look proud and happy. Xx
Congratulations to Abby! Such a special time in her life. I went to a small Catholic school, and remember my 8th grade graduation well. I told my best friend that if I ever had a daughter I would name her Emily….and I did!
You don't look tired…you look beautiful and happy!
Congrats to your beautiful girl! What an exciting night! And that picture of the kids watching the sunset ~ gorgeous!
As mom to a 5 year old little girl, I take inspiration from your blog all the time. What a beautiful celebration – it really shows that it is possible to be a "good" kid these days! I get so frustrated when all we hear in the media is rudeness and such. ( iCarly drives me crazy!) Thank you so much for sharing such positivity. By the way, your post about letting little girls be little girls is one of my all-time faves! Congratulations to you and your daughter.
"well stocked up with tissues…" and I needed a tissue after reading your post! Abby is beautiful! What special memories and wonderful experiences! These will carry her through the rest of her life, I'm sure! Wishing her many blessings in the years to come! Thanks so much for sharing, Sarah, your blog is one of my favorites!
She is beautiful! I am so glad I am not the only one who doesn't get a phone for my children when they are super young (in my son's kgarten there are 6 children with their own phones!). We have said high school is a perfect time to get your own phone!
I am new to your blog so I thought I would say hello! I love the picture of your beautiful daughter and her BFF. My daughter is 5 and I can only imagine the emotions that I will have when she goes to high school. It's such a big deal! Wishing her all the luck in the world!
You are beautiful as well. Looking forward to reading more.
Congratulations Abby! Your posts always make me cry. I will be a wreck when my kids hit those big milestones. I cry when they potty train for goodness sake!
What a big step. Congratulations Abby. Those pictures of Abby and her friends make me want to go hug my girls and treasure every precious second.
What a perfect night! Your daughter is so beautiful! And yes, WHERE do you live?! Wow, I want to live like that? The small private school class, the river behind the church…wow you are so lucky to have this life.
We are Californians and I am beginning to dislike it for raising kids. I'm over it! I need a new place to live.
You don't look tired, you look fulfilled and truly happy.
I've been reading your blog for about a year now by the way and I just have to say, you are one of my most important mentor moms. I love and agree with ALL of your ways and views on child-rearing and love getting a glimpse into your beautiful life through your blog. How wonderful it is to have people's blogs to look up to instead of watching some trashy reality TV show where the parents have not a clue what they are doing!
So thank you for writing this and for raising such an amazing family.
Congratulations to your beautiful daughter! What an exciting time! And the cell phone picture…priceless! 🙂
Awwww, what a big milestone. Congratulations to your wonderful girl. I'm sure she will excel in high school and continue to make her mommy proud.
Sniff, sniff …
A beautiful post. It is so wonderful to be the mother of a precious daughter who has had a normal, happy girlhood isn't it?
Amazing pictures.
Jill Farris
http://www.generationalwomanhood.wordpress.com
congratulations to you & Abby! Wow, what a step! I am a school counselor in a Catholic school…which my boys attend also….wow, this must be a small school from the size of the 8th grade graduating class. That's awesome…ours is bit larger, our school had about 75 8th graders graduate last week 🙂 We always tell the 8th graders that they will look back and realize how incredible it is that they (for the most part) spent 11 years together (3 y/o pre-K thru 8th). My oldest, Matthew, is moving "upstairs" in the fall…to 3rd grade and my baby, Patrick, is beginning Kindergarten….let the tears flow! Congrats again!
Your school seems to be wonderful. All those kids just look like good kids. Especially that buffet… I love a good church buffet 🙂
She is so beautiful! (And you too Sarah!) That is one amazing setting for an elementary school. Wow. Looks like a wonderful group of friends. Must ease your heart a bit, yes?
I love your posts about your family. I hope that Abby's high school years are just as good for you guys. Keep being a wonderful mother.
It looks like it was a magical night, especially the sunset by the river.
I remember my high school graduation (back in the day, 8th grade graduation wasn't as celebrated) being both the happiest and sadest night of my young life. I hope school just keeps getting better and better for Abbey.