Grade 5 Leaving Ceremony

I love Jason's question (when I texted photos of Bradyn) best.... "Why are we graduating from Grade 5?"  Because, Uncle Jason, Bradyn's elementary school career is over.  In September, Bradyn is off to Maple Creek Middle School for grades 6-8, and to continue on her French Immersion journey.  It's funny.  On one hand I was dreading graduation day because it meant our baby was reaching yet another milestone in her life and moving another step further from being our baby.  But at the same time, I was so excited for the next adventure that Bradyn is about to embark on.  

Our obligatory photo shot by the front yard gate, for the last time in elementary school. 

I love this picture.  The smile is adorable.

This is Bradyn's principal, welcoming everyone to the Grade 5 Leaving Ceremony.

I loved that one of the school students was the pianist for O Canada.

The Grade 5 graduating class, after filing into the gymnasium.  If I remember correctly, there were 3 English classes and 2 French classes.

So proud of our graduate, receiving her certificate from her teacher, Mlle Karsenti (Bradyn says she is the best teacher she had at elementary school).

Checking out the graduation gifts with Alex while they wait for the rest of their class to receive their certificates.

There was a wonderful slide show at the end of the ceremony showing baby photos of the graduates as well as photos of the children on the playground today.  I admit I had tears in my eyes at different times during the ceremony and more during the slide show, but none of them slid down my face.  Or at least not until Bradyn's principal said "graduates, those photos of you as babies are how your parents will always see you"  That's when I had to get out a tissue.

This is Ben.  THE Ben.  The boy that was a complete and total distraction to Bradyn last year, to the point that it started to interfere with her school work.  Bradyn decided she was 'over' Ben this year and things went much better for her grades and their friendship. (Bradyn got straight A's all year!!)  The funny part is near the end of the year, Bradyn confessed that maybe she did still have a bit of a crush on Ben after all.  I KNEW it! 

Bradyn and Mlle Karsenti.  This was Mlle's first year teaching and she was absolutely wonderful.  I love that when Mlle wrote in Bradyn's yearbook, her note encouraged Bradyn to keep writing (Bradyn wrote a Hunger Games-esque story for one of her assignments - it really was quite good!) Future students will be very lucky to have Mlle as their teacher.

Bradyn and Alexander.  I love these two together.  Kevin and Alexander's dad met at 4 am one cold winter morning when they were camped out at Panorama to register the kids for kindergarten (it was a first come-first served situation).  Bradyn and Alex have also attended the same before and after school care facility for the last 6 years.  Alex and his parents have joined us on the MS Walk for the last three years and are such warm, kind people.  So many memories, including a 2-family trip to the driving range and a triple date for dinner and then a movie in the park.  Sadly, Alex will not be continuing on in French Immersion, so he will be going to a different middle school.  Kevin and I will have to work hard at keeping in touch with their family.  Not only because they are good people, but because I think we both have a little fantasy about Bradyn and Alexander getting married one day....  

So proud of our girl.

After school was dismissed at noon, we headed to Boston Pizza for lunch to celebrate.  After lunch, we headed to Starbucks for Bradyn's one and only graduation request - a vanilla bean frappuccino.  

I am so excited about all the adventures to come in September.  Yes, the fact that Bradyn will be taking the city bus home from school every day is a bit worrisome, but I know that she will be just fine.  Our little girl isn't so little any more and that's okay.  Bradyn is growing into an amazing young woman and I can't wait to see all things she is going to accomplish.

Congratulations my love.