Katie Anne's Pre-K Graduation

Today was Katie Anne's PreK graduation and end-of-the-year party!  

They had the party outside, and it was - obviously from the squinting - a sunny, beautiful day!  They had a luau theme for their celebration, and the kids all looked so cute.  Katie Anne got a certificate and memory book from her teachers Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Bolen.  They had lots of wonderful things to say about her - especially about how much she's grown up this year, how much her behavior has improved, and what a great helper she is to her teachers!

After the certificates were handed out, the kids ate their special snacks and had a dance party!

Katie Anne with her friends from class:

Katie Anne and one of her best friends, Diamond:

Katie Anne had such a great year with her teachers!

We're so glad that it worked out with Mommy and Daddy's schedules - we could both be there to see the fun and be a part of the end-of-the-year festivities with KA!

We're so grateful for her fabulous experience at the PreK.  Katie Anne really loved this school year and isn't excited about leaving.  She is so at-home at the PreK, and she's a bit nervous about kindergarten.  Last week, she asked me, "Can't I just stay at the PreK next year and be Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Bolen's friends?!?"  Even though she hates to leave her wonderful preK, we know she's ready for kindergarten and will do wonderfully there, too!

Duck Dash 5K and Fun Run!

This morning, I ran the Duck Dash 5K with some of my running pals, and Katie Anne ran the kids' half-mile Duck Fun Run!  These races are fundraisers for Advocates for Bartow's Children - they're part of the Duck Derby fundraising activities.  The races were fun and challenging, and KA and I both did a great job!  I got my fastest 5K time so far - 32 minutes!  Katie Anne did a great job on her fun run, too.  She ran the whole time and got a medal!  Saunders, SJ, and Gigi came out to support us - and took pictures, too!  It was a great family morning out.  Here are some pictures of the fun.

Pre-race family photo:

Me and my little runner - we made these matching duck-themed shirts together!

 Last minute advice from KA:

 SJ and Gigi are ready to cheer us on!

Getting ready for race time!

Me and V are ready to run!

And we're off!

Running hard!

Watching Mommy's race!

 My two smallest fans!

 Here I come! 

 Me and Vanessa after the race!

Now it's Katie Anne's turn!  She's stretching out before the big run.

 Little #86 is ready to race!

Walking down the hill to her race course.

   Addison looks a little frozen, and KA looks a little nervous!

 Checking out the course.

 Getting herself psyched up...

 And they're off!

 Katie Anne took off from the starting line as fast as she could!

 There she goes - speedster!

 Watching anxiously for Sissy... 

 Here she comes around the corner - Dad's cheering her on!

 Running as fast as she can!

 Real ladies run in skorts!

 Almost there...

 Crossing the finish line!

 Whew- she did it!

 High fives for Sister!

I asked Katie Anne if she ran as fast as a cheetah - which is what she said she was going to do.  Katie Anne told me, "I ran as fast as a werewolf !!!"

SJ ran his own pretend race in the parking lot to show off his skills, too.

 Katie Anne earned a medal for her hard work!

 Racing kids!  KA, Addison, Sophie, and Kobey

 Racing mommies and racing kids!  Katie/KA ... Naomi/Sophie ... Heather/Addison ... Shawnee/Kobey!

 So proud of both of us today!

 KA and Daddy

 Our family!

 What do all little racers need?  Snowcones!

 SJ got a treat, too!