Chera Eric Lexi and Owen: Preschool Graduation

Anytime a big milestone event occurs tears build up in my eyes and I can't help but be overwhelmed with emotions. I was never really like this, but once I had Owen and Addie, it happens every time without fail. I think it happens because these milestones are reminders that the kids are growing up and they have accomplished something big in their little lives and those are the moments I want to freeze time but I am so so grateful I get to be apart of them.

One of these big moments occurred on Owen's last day of preschool. He was graduating from the 4 year old classroom and moving up to the Pre-K room. He was so excited, I was a bundle of mixed emotions. I was sad because I LOVED his teacher - Miss Lori and Owen did too. She was seriously the sweetest teacher with the warmest heart. She had this very unique way of making each kid feel special in their own way and celebrating the smallest things. She is truly a gem in a pile of dull rocks and someone I know I will never forget. I felt anxious because of the unknown - how would Owen do moving up to the Pre-K classroom next year with a new teacher? I felt so happy because he did it! He finished his first year of school and did an awesome job at that! Most of all I felt so proud of Owen completing his first year of school. It was the first time he ever spent time away from me by himself for an extended amount of time. He had his ups and downs but he loved school! He loved the structure, making new friends, creating projects, playing on the playground and always had a story to tell. And this was the little boy who had separation anxiety when he was a baby and overcame early intervention and truly thrived in preschool -- and that feeling right there warms my heart and fills it with so much joy.

So big! Celebrating his last day of school

Close-up of his stat board

He couldn't wait for his last day of school!

Each class decorated their little window

Owen's class

Owen's gift to his teacher Miss Lori

So as I watched him march into the graduation ceremony, with his head held high, proudly wearing his graduation hat, it was no surprise that my eyes filled with happy tears. My little boy was growing up and becoming an independent little man and that is an image I will never forget. Seeing how happy he was that we were sitting in the audience watching him sing his classes favorite songs was a blast. And when it was all done and he ran over with his graduation bear asking us how he did -- now that is a milestone worth all the happy tears in the world.

Just walked in!