She "Graduationed"!!

Last week my "baby" girl "graduationed" from preschool. I can't believe that she is growing up so fast. I really have no idea how I went from finding out I was pregnant to now in such a short time. It's crazy!! But I'm absolutely loving (just about) every second of this thing they call "motherhood".

So last Thursday Jack and I got to go with Payson to preschool. We watched the kids perform some fun songs with their teacher, Miss Kari. (Who is actually my WONDERFUL-beyond-words counselor in the primary). Seriously, I adore that woman.

Then we headed outside for some games. Here are all the kids and most parents (the rest of us were standing up to take pictures) listening to Miss Kari explain the games.

The first game we played was a fruit loop race. The kids paired up and used a little spoon to transfer fruit loops into their bowl. First one to fill their bowl wins!

After Payson and her good friend, Pace, started racing I noticed Jack down there at the end grabbing handfuls and helping his sister! The little cheater! I almost stopped him until Pace's mom and I realized that Pace's little sister, Josie, was doing the same thing!! :) It was cute. We have no idea who won but it was fun to watch the girls play.

Next, Jack and I wrapped Payson in a toilet paper dress. She loved twirling and getting all "dressed up" but immediately ripped the "dress" off. :)

We also stuffed our mouths with marshmallows and sang "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and ate donuts hanging from a string. Payson actually did neither game, but laughed at her brother while he played on her behalf. :)

Then came the graduation ceremony. Payson in her graduation cap.

Mama posing with her big girl. I can't tell you how much I love this little lady. Thinking about it makes me tear up. I just adore her!!

Jack intently watching the ceremony. :) He can't wait for his turn next!!

Each of the kids walked to the graduation song and received their "diploma". Miss Kari asked each of the kids what they wanted to be when they grew up. Payson had told her the day before that she wanted to be an artist. That answer made sense to me, as she is ALWAYS creating at home. She loves to color and paint and draw and is always making beautiful little crafts for friends and family. But when she had her turn to answer the question at graduation, she copied the boys and said she wanted to be a cop! We all laughed a little.

Later we were talking and she told me that she wants to be both. :)

Payson posing with her teacher and all of the kids in her preschool class. She has made so many good friends in this little class!!

Payson posing with her good friend Pace. :) We call Payson "Pays" all the time so these girls loved that their names were so similar.

All the girls from the class posing silly. Payson, Pace, Kaylee, and Hailey.

The boys were too busy playing and running to pose for a picture. :)

Jack had so much fun getting to go to Payson's school knowing that he'll get to go in just a few months.

The "spread". There were fruits and veggies and cake and treats and juice to celebrate. And cute little framed class pictures for all of the kids to take home.

And of course Payson has to pose with her teacher one last time! She LOVES Miss Kari. Luckily, we see her every week at mommy's presidency meetings and at church on Sunday's.

It has been so, so, so much fun to watch this girl grow up! She is always my big helper and is trying everyday to choose the right. She loves family home evenings and having family outings. She is always good about reminding us to have family scriptures and prayers. She loves primary and is always reading her "Friend" magazine and learning about Jesus. She loves to read. One of my favorite parts of the day is curling up with my babies each night to read stories. She is SUCH a good big sister. Sure, she and Jack fight t=like any siblings do, but more often than not Payson gives up whatever it is she wants to let her brother have his way. She is always taking care of him and keeping an eye on him and making sure that he is happy and safe. She LOVES her daddy. She clings to him whenever he's home. We get so many snuggles and hugs and kisses from this girl. She dresses up and dances and sings and puts on little shows for us and just makes up laugh all the time. I can't believe how grown up she is getting. I am so, so, so proud of her!!

Now we have a few busy months of summer and then Kindergarten begins. It feels so strange to me to be sending my baby girl off to school all day. Packing lunches, doing homework, and parent-teacher conferences are just a few months away. Crazy!!

And Jack will begin preschool at the same time, so I will have ZERO children at home two days a week for a few hours. THAT will be insane. I'm gonna need another one QUICK!!

I just love these babies and watching them grow!!