The Graduate

Audrey E. reached a major milestone recently. She bid farewell to kindergarten and Lake Forest Park Montessori where she has spent her weekdays for four years.

She will miss her dear friends greatly.

And so will her mama!

If I can only pick the groom!

I surprised her with "tea for two" at Queen Mary's.

She declared it the "fanciest day of her life."


She only referred to me as "mother" throughout the luncheon.

"Even the sugar is fancy, Mother!"

I am not sure if I would have enjoyed tea with the Queen of England herself as much as I enjoyed tea with my Audrey.

Oh, what she does to my heart!

Clearly, being a first grader is tired work...She even had a TV shoot (a follow-up on Seattle's KING TV (NBC) after her first day of kindergarten story in September!)

To The Class of 2021!

Sharing

The tears finally came at kindergarten drop off this morning. They were mine. After a bustling first week of school the reality set in.

As we ascended the steps to Audrey's classroom I relived the few short minutes I'd had with my young beautiful girl this morning. Her sweet, sleepy smile when I pulled back her curtains and turned on a lullaby from her Cinderella soundtrack. Her request for "high" pigtails and flower ribbons and kneesocks. Her warm, sticky kiss after a breakfast of waffles and syrup.

We tightly held hands as we do each morning. As we went up the stairs she asked me what I'd be doing today. I have to read some emails I told her. "I can read quietly next to you," she said. I'd like to get a quick walk in I added. "I love when we go on our walks." I told her I'd be going quickly and would have my iPod on listening to a church sermon that I missed. "I will go in the stroller and bring a snack and a book and I promise I wouldn't bother you", she said. I'll probably grab lunch while I work I continued. "I could do an activity book and we could have tea and cottage cheese together," she said.

After popping her lunchbox in her locker she took a book from the corner of the room and sat in her seat. I gave her a long hug goodbye. She blew me a kiss through the window and I continued to watch her for a moment. Her face showed concern and then I saw her approach a boy sitting in the corner. He was crying. Audrey asked him something and then nodded and walked away. She went back to him a moment later and just sat by him.

I know she would be a wonderful companion to me today--to read with, walk with, and eat with but I believe God wants us to share our gifts with others so I turned and left and for a few more hours gave Audrey to the world.

Class of 2021

Audrey & Olivia, Audrey's First day of Kindergarten

Little Audrey E started kindergarten on Tuesday and the TV cameras were there to capture it! (video below)

I am a gloating mama!

Eric's station asked the other day if the staff knew of any soon to be kindergartners. They wanted to follow one through the preparation and routine (and excitement) of the night before school and connect again with the student on day one. Just as Brooke Shield's stage mom would do--I (naturally) jumped at the chance!

The camera crew spent time filming her on Mon. night and then were at our doorstep doing a liveshot at 6:45 this morning-- live from our kitchen as she at breakfast at 7:30 this a.m.-- and so on. Bits and pieces of the attached story ran in seven newscasts (the carpet cleaner I called today asked if I was her mom based on my last name and address--the woman at the nail salon (who speaks very little English) told Olivia today that she saw her on TV and her Sunday school teacher just left a message--and on and on!) Audrey feels like a superstar. Bless it. I am so proud of the little diva. You'd never know I was married to a guy on TV yet there's something about it being your KID. ;)

Here is one of the segments that aired live from her classroom...

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/3424428/9556154


Clearly, she is not lacking in confidence! "I'm REALLY great at math." ha! quick side note--after this story first aired Audrey was really down. When I asked her why she said she felt bad because she was "braggy" about her math skills. Bless her---I told her she should be proud of herself and they probably used that quote because when I grew up they didn't think girls could do math or science well.

OK--all for now BIG thanks for indulging me!