Farewell Fantastic 4's

Today marks the end of an era...
Lexi's last day at Small To Tall preschool.
She has been there since her very first year in the 2's.
We have watched her grow and learn and thrive,
with many of the same kiddos by her side all three years.

This year, though, the "Fantastic 4's" was truly fantastic.
The girls all became great friends.
They played together, day in and day out.

Acting out "family" on the playground,
learning to pump, hanging from the monkey bars,
baking pretend birthday cakes for each other in the sandbox,
chasing Maxwell and giving him kisses on the cheek (oh dear!)
relishing in class jobs like line leader, weather watcher and door holder,
sitting and chatting at lunchtime each day,
really and truly learning how to write the alphabet,
thriving in so many ways under the loving, watchful eyes
of Miss Mary and Miss Jackie,
begging to stay after school for a few more minutes on the playground
- together, of course.
going to birthday party after birthday party - the whole gang in tow.
One big group, lots of laughs, lots of smiles, lots of learning.

And so it is especially sad that we won't be at the graduation ceremony next month.
Lexi won't get to wear the cute little red cap and gown
or get her "diploma" with her buddies.
She won't be there for the last day of school party out on the front lawn.

It is quite a bummer, for her AND for her mommy.
But rather than dwell on what we won't be here for,
we chose to celebrate all that her first preschool experience has meant.

So on Tuesday, all the girls from her class
(minus Betsy who was home in bed with a stomach bug)
came to our house for one last party...a goodbye party.
These girls just make me smile.

They are sweet and sassy.
They simply adore Ryleigh and spent the night arguing over who
was going to sit next to her.

Their energy is contagious, and their care and concern for one another
makes them seem wise beyond their years.
They are silly and goofy, crazy and smart.

And I think I'm going to miss them just as much as Lexi will.
The whole group is scattering next year.
In fact, all of Lexi's friends are going in different directions this fall.
Half of them are headed on to Kindergarten,
at one of the many elementary schools here in Fairfield and Westport.
The other half with fall birthdays are headed on to pre-k programs.
It's the end of an era...for all of them.

For that reason, and many more...
I am so glad I got these sweet photos to help capture an adorable moment in time.
I hope that years down the road, when she thinks back to her childhood,
Lexi has some memory of the wonderful preschool that felt more like a home!