Last Thursday we finished Ashton's first year of school with her VPK graduation. I cannot believe the year is already over. It seems like just yesterday I was dropping her off for the first day of school and crying in the car in the parking lot. She has grown so much since August and I couldn't have asked for a better first experience than the one that she received at Wildwood Preschool. And I'm not just saying that because Wildwood is our church. The teachers and staff absolutely LOVE our children and they put so much time and effort into teaching them.
From previous blog posts, you know that performing is not one of Ashton's favorite things to do. She always does a great job practicing (is even said to be quite the little ham), but when it comes to performing in front of an audience, she gets extremely anxious. She was so proud of her practices and even said "mama, I didn't even cry," but the day of, I knew she was getting nervous. I told her beforehand that she did not have to sing and do the movements if she did not want to and that she could simply stand there and smile if it made her feel better. Well, she took that and decided to make silly faces the whole time instead. It was pretty funny and definitely better than crying.
Wildwood VPK 2014-15
The tears started flowing as soon our sweet girl got on the stage, but Mrs. Susan immediately went up and made it all better.
Once Ashton gained her composure, the silly faces began...
And they didn't stop...
Getting ready to walk across the stage to receive her Bible and Diploma and she was so excited!!!
Receiving her Bible.
"When I grow up I want to be a ballerina."
My favorite picture! Such a sweet moment.
Wildwood Preschool VPK Class of 2015
It took her till the very last song to sing and do the movements, but she finally did it...along with a few more silly faces.
Singing "We're Moving Up to Kindergarten"
We LOVE this precious girl so much!
YaYa was so, so, so proud!
Sweet Sisters
Me and my sweet girl.
Ashton with Grandma & Boppa
MeeMee & Ashton
Ashton & PawPaw
Us & Our Girl
After graduation there was an ice cream party and everyone was invited.
Ashton loved her ice cream!
Soraya & Ashton
Ashton with one of her favorite teachers, Mrs. Ashley.
Ella & Ashton
Ashton and Mrs. Susan
Mrs. Susan was the absolute perfect teacher. She has such a tender heart and always knew just what Ashton needed. She knew when to push for her to work/try harder and she knew when our sweet girl just needed love. She was always there with sweet words and is the BEST first teacher that Ashton could've possibly had!
Ashton and Savannah
Ashton with her art work that she made to decorate the stage with.
Graduation Pictures 2014-15
When Ashton was 5 months old, I made a cute little card to send out with her picture on the front and the inside read this:
She's a little bit of sunshine
She's a smile to light our days
She will steal our hearts and keep them
With her warm endearing ways
She's our precious little daughter
With a sweetness from above
Who will fill our years with laughter
And our lives with lots of love.
Four years later and these words could not be more true! Ashton lights up a room when she enters it and you cannot help but smile when you are around her. She has a tender heart, but is one of the feistiest little things you will ever meet. She is smart, funny and full of love. Yesterday, our favorite pediatrician Dr. Martin said, "you hit the jackpot with that one" and he was so right. Ashton melts my heart daily and puts a smile on my face each time I think of her. I look forward to the years ahead and the many memories that are to come.
Congratulations sweet girl! You just finished your very first year of school!
