end of fourth grade

The Fourth Grade graduation was at the Willie Pig Auditorium in Mansfield.  Earlier in the week (when I was setting up for Colby's class party) I heard the fourth graders practicing their song and it took everything in me not to cry as I walked down the hall at her school.  It's hard to believe that she is already done with elementary school!  Why can't it be a K-6 campus??

She looked beautiful and so grown up... 

We arrived early so I could help the teachers with all the balloons and decorations. That also meant that I had time to take pictures with Brooke and a few of her friends. 

Brooke and Hope, who is also our neighbor...

Claire, Brooke, and Kendall...

Brooke and the boys...

The Fourth Grade class...

We were so incredibly proud of Brooke for achieving A Honor Roll, but when she received the Principal's Award (given to one boy and girl in each class), I totally cried. We just found out about it the day before, but Brooke told me that she hoped she would get it.  And then, she received an Athletic Award from the PE Coach, which I'm sure is in recognition of her commitment to Daulton Dashers this year.  She was trying not to smile, but I could tell that she was SO happy.

They went class by class for all the extra awards, then took each class off stage and had them walk across as their names were read.  You could tell that it was awkward for the kids, but some of them really hammed it up, or lost their paper graduation hats because they were walking too quickly, haha.  Brooke walked so gracefully across the stage and I felt proud to be her Mama. 

She will miss Daulton so much, but thankfully she'll see a lot of these kids at her intermediate school.  Once a dragon, always a dragon!!

I love catching the hugs!  Papa wasn't able to come because of his recent surgery, but Grandma represented them both.

Just checking out her Principal's Award, which was in recognition of "Modeling Excellence"...

Violet, Emma, and Brooke...

Brooke with Ms. Gutierrez, who she absolutely adored.  I don't know how we're so lucky, but I honestly feel that Brooke gets the very best teacher every single year.  Ms. Gutierrez was no exception!

The Principal, Mr. Gammon, is also fantastic.  He cares so much about the kids and his dedication and concern for them is apparent in all he does.  

You know me, had to take a million pictures with our beautiful graduate...

We are SO proud of our Brookie Girl.  Not only does she have the kindest heart, but she is helpful, patient, fun, smart as a whip, and dedicated in all she does. She has thrived at Daulton and always finds joy in everything she does.  Here's to hoping that 5th grade is just as wonderful!

We ended the evening with Coldstone ice cream and a surprise necklace set from Grandma.

All of Brooke's Awards...

Everyone was afraid that the expected rain would ruin the Fourth Grade Picnic, but it ended up being a beautiful day!  These kids had a blast with inflatable slides, an obstacle course, Bahama Bucks, yard games, and lunch.

Brooke and her friend, Jorge.  He was the recipient of the other Principal's Award for their class and his mom mentioned that Jorge was not surprised at all that Brooke received the other one since "she's the best kid in the class."

Brooke and her friend Sydney, who has been in her class since Kindergarten.  Most of the years it was just random luck, but in the summer between 3rd and 4th, Sydney's mom reached out to Mr. Gammon and asked if he could make sure they were in the same class again, haha.  Doesn't hurt to ask, right?

Brooke and Madison, who created all sorts of drama for Brooke towards the beginning of the year, but I'm glad it was all sorted out by the end.  

They had a pretty good rotation scheduled between all the activities, and I just wandered around with Brooke and watched her hang out with her friends.  She was really sweet and kept running over to me as well, so I had the best afternoon with my girl.

Brooke and Mrs. Brown, her teacher for science and math...

Enjoying their snow cones...

Brooke and Penelope...

The teachers brought a bunch of the balloons from the graduation ceremony and created this fun backdrop, so naturally, we took a few pictures.  I will cherish these pictures forever!

Brooke and Logan, who apparently has a little crush on her...

We crossed paths with Zalaya, so I snapped a quick picture of them together...

After lunch, Brooke played a few yard games before it was time to head out.

On the last day of school, they have a tradition known as the Fourth Grade Clap-Out.  The parents all line up outside and cheer the kids on as they take one final lap through the halls and outside the building.  The younger grades line the halls as well and clap for them as they pass. 

I most definitely got choked up as she passed, but I couldn't help but also feel intense gratitude for the amazing years she has had at Daulton and for the beautiful person she is, inside and out!

Brooke is one of the tallest girls in her class, but she looks super short next to her friends, Ava and Samaree. 

Brooke and Kailee...

Mrs. Blanton wanted to get a picture of all her former 1st graders, but it was too chaotic in the common area, so we opted for a picture of just the two of them :)

And one with a few more of her 1st grade classmates...

Thanks to Ms. Gutierrez for an incredible year!!

Now on to intermediate school...