Hadley's graduation from Pre-K was on Thursday night and it was the cutest thing. Her teachers and school really went all out. It was like a miniature high school or college graduation. We dropped her off in her classroom while we went to get seated so she could walk out with her class in her cute little graduation cap.

First of all, 3 weeks ago, we received a graduation announcement complete with her name card and a beautiful quote on velum. They practiced for 2 weeks . All of their seats were set up in the front with their names on them.

 There was a program:

Processional - "Down, Down the Field"

Welcome

Graduate Performance

Awarding of Diplomas

Closing

Recessional - "Celebration" - I was hoping it was the Kool and the Gang but it was instrumental, which was embarrassing when I started singing "There's a party going on right here...." in my Kool voice.

Hadley was all business the whole time. Very serious. I think she was a little freaked out to be in front of all of those people. They're all wearing '07 pendants around their necks.

DIPLOMAS! Seriously. How cute is this?

Finny was excited to cheer on sister and thought it was the coolest when he stood on his chair.

He really wanted to be playing in the yard, which he was doing in the playground before the ceremony started. About 2 minutes after arriving, he did this:

I randomly caught him falling while running. So he was filthy from then on.

Ok, so back to Hadley. She receives her diploma...

walks out with her class and then does this...

Could. You. Die???

I gasp every time I see it. She is my most precious rare bird. So beautiful and smart, brimming with possibility and hope. Just looking at this picture stirs up so many emotions. How proud of her I am. How this is the beginning of letting go of her and how I will try to do it with grace and ease just as my parents did. Or at least I will try to pretend I am doing it with grace and ease while I hyperventilate on the inside.

Speaking of college graduations, my other graduate is our amazing Taylor. She graduated from Seattle University on June 10th and we are beyond proud of her too. She is going to London (sniff sniff) for graduate school at the end of summer. I know. So cool. We are so proud of her. I have this daughter/sister/friend thing with her that is beyond anything I could explain. I love her. I really really do. L, M and I went to her graduation party a few weeks ago and were introduced to everyone as her "mom friends", which was hysterical and also a reminder that I'm old. Another reminder was when her mom's beau Charlie said "You know who you look like?" and I was all twittery waiting for him to say someone really really good so I could stomp around the bar the rest of the night feeling fine...

"Do you know who Valerie Plame is?" he asked.

"Um...." I hesitated. Now I feel like an illiterate jackass because my head  was in E! news not The Wall Street Journal.

He politely explained again who she was and I smiled and went on my merry way only to google her as soon as I got home to refresh my memory of what she looked like.

Attractive enough but she's 42. I'm not 42.

Anyway...at least he didn't say I was dead ringer for Madeleine Albright.

Happy Graduation darling Tay. You are and will always be an honorary Provost. Happy Birthday too! WE LOVE YOU!