My Elementary School Graduate

There are a few things happening in my life these days that are making me feel my age. I’ve got a bunch of gray hair (that I diligently cover with color), I’m noticing more and more wrinkles on my face, and my skin is sagging basically everywhere, but the thing that’s making me feel most old is the fact that my daughter has graduated from Elementary school and will now be in Junior High! I don’t know why, but that fact is really causing me to experience some crazy feelings of ‘old.’

Luckily she had a great 6th grade year. She loved her teacher Mrs. McBee, her Math teacher Mrs. McAllister (who was also one of her fifth grade teachers), her friends at school, and being a 6th grader, because 6th graders rule the school!

Mike and I attended Mary Kate’s graduation ceremonies and were blown away by how many special awards she received. She (along with her good friend Savannah) was one of just seven 6th graders to receive the Hope of America Award given for outstanding leadership, character, service, and academic achievement. Mary Kate had no idea she was going to receive this award and was just as surprised as we were. Mary Kate is a good, conscientious student; she get’s good grades, is well behaved in school, and most importantly, kind to everyone. The teachers are always telling me how helpful she is in class and how well she treats her fellow students, especially those who aren’t always treated well. As her mother, nothing makes me happier than to hear that, although I’m not surprised. Mary Kate has a kind heart.

Happy girl

Elizabeth, Megan, Talia, and MK

When Mike blessed Mary Kate as a baby he was inspired to bless her that as she grew she would choose good friends who would be positive influences on her, and that she in turn would be a positive influence on them. So far we have been so grateful to see that blessing realized in her life. She has wonderful friends at school, good girls (and some boys too) who encourage Mary Kate to be her best self.

We love Elizabeth. She and Mary Kate became best friends when they were in the same class in 1st grade. They’ve remained good friends through the years despite the fact that they weren’t in the same class again until the 6th grade. It was good that they could finish out Elementary school together at long last.

Mary Kate has had wonderful teachers this year. I mentioned her math teacher Mrs. McAllister of 5th grade fame (we always love her!), and then her home room teacher Mrs. McBee. I can’t say enough good things about Mrs. McBee. She is a gifted teacher and Mary Kate was in heaven in her classroom. Mrs. Mcbee became Mrs. Lewis towards the end of the school year, and then, just a few weeks later, moved to Brazil with her new husband. Mary Kate cried for days after she announced she was leaving. I could kick myself to Oklahoma for not taking a picture of MK and Mrs. McBee together before she left. I think we missed that opportunity all together, sadly, but I do have this from the class photo…

Mrs. McBee’s replacement was Miss Church, but we just call her Lacey around here. Lacey is my friend Cherish Larson’s baby sister, and she’s my friend too. We love Lacey, and if Mary Kate couldn’t have Mrs. McBee, she was so happy to have Lacey. Thanks Lacey! You’re going to be a fabulous teacher!

I’m grateful Mary Kate had a good 6th grade experience. Over-all her Elementary school years have been positive and happy. Here we come 7th grade and Junior High! I’m scared spit less!