Fourth Grade Farewell COVID style (Week 12)

June 3rd was such a special day for our family!  We were able to celebrate M's fourth grade farewell. All day M was quite sad about the farewell because he was so bummed that it wouldn't be the whole class together as it is in other years.  I was sad for him too, that he wouldn't get to experience that. 

The reality of the event was more special than I could have imagined.  Each class was given a 30 minute window to come to the school.  Within that time the class was broken in half.  M's group was at 6:15 if I remember correctly.  We arrived early and just waiting until 6:15.  No one else was there at that time. 

We didn't realize it at the time, but Charissa was right behind us.  She was about to snap a picture of M graduating!  M and her son L were in the same class this year. 

Pulling up to our graduation spot.

Once we got to the graduation spot M's teacher came up to the van and presented M with a certificate and a medal.  It was such a precious ceremony.  She said some very encouraging things to M.  She has really seen him grow and mature this year.  We were so very proud of him.  

Mrs. D coming up the the van with wonderful principal Mrs G waving in the background. 

Presenting M with the medal!

He graduated from elementary school!

After the special ceremony we were able to do our own parade of sorts.  All the elementary teachers were lined up waving, clapping, cheering etc.  It was amazing and magical!!!!  It was completely personal and they were all cheering for M!  I was a mess of tears the whole time, but managed to keep us from getting in an accident while Brandon took still shots and recorded the whole thing. 

M (and T's) awesome 1st grade teacher!

The whole line of amazing teachers. 

M:  I loved seeing all of the teachers!!!

After the parade we pulled over and L and family joined us so we could have a mini grad party together.  With M's sickness we should have socially distanced more than we did.  Our time with them was very short and the adults distanced, but the kids had some close moments, like the photo below.  The wanted to hug, but we said no.  We settled on a picture together with the school in the background.

From first friends to elementary school graduates!

Charissa was able to take some family pictures on her phone and email them to us.

Pose One!

Pose Two!

T needed to have some focus on her too, so she and Brandon did a little performing.

T: Where did Daddy go?  Yes, I have shorts on under my dress. 

T: I love it when Daddy throws me up and catches me. 

Once we got home we took some pics by the Lincoln sign!

M: It was much more special than I thought it would be. 

Cutest and proudest photo bomber ever. 

After pictures we had pumpkin pie to celebrate.  M LOVES pumpkin pie and would eat it every day if he could.

T loves M so much.  She wanted Brandon to play a march on the piano so she could parade around with him like a real graduation.  She is so sweet.

Marching in to Pomp and Circumstance. 

T: I was so proud of M and thankful that Dad could play the piano.