It's hard to believe, but Emily is officially a Kindergarten graduate! The year flew by, had it's ups and downs and ended well with a very bright and happy soon-to-be-first-grader.
Emily learned to read (very well) and can count to 100 in a variety of ways (and she'll be happy to demonstrate to anyone who will listen!). She weathered her first broken bone (she broke her big toe when she fell from the monkey bars early in the school year), learned to navigate sitting at a desk and following directions, made friends, and had lunch in the cafeteria, even learning to order hot lunch. It's been a big year.
This is Emily walking in to her graduation. She looks so big to me.
Emily receiving her diploma from Mr. Hampton, who helped her get out of the car in the drop-off line on those days (and there were quite a few) when Miss Em just didn't want to get out of the car. I appreciated Mr. Hampton more than he knows.
Emily's Kindergarten class. Top Left: Jada, Emily K, our Emily, Sam M.Middle Left: Mrs. Frazier, Abigail, Sam R., Naomi, Nathan
Bottom Left: Niall, Lily, Olivia
Emily and her wonderful teacher Mrs. Frazier. God definitely blessed us with the perfect Kindergarten teacher for Emily. She was just the right mix of compassionate and no-nonsense and knew exactly which one Emily needed at the time. 
Our very lovely little graduate. I had a strange experience that night, because seeing her all dressed in her white cap and gown sort of gave me a glimpse into the past and the future all at once. She looks so very like me as a child, something I'm seeing more and more, and I could see a pretty good resemblance to how I looked on my high school graduation day...which sort of gives me an idea of how she will likely look about 12 years from now. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be ready for that.
A rare picture of our little family. Ethan did his best to last through the ceremony, but since it started at his bedtime and he has never been one to sit still for...anything...we were very grateful that Grandma and Grandpa were there with us to help entertain him.
Emily with Grandpa and Grandma. 