Pomp and Circumstance, The Kindergarten Way.

*sigh* Kaia graduated from kindergarten today.  I cried and found it hard to stop.  I was fine until her teacher stood up to share a little poem about her class.  The two of us made eye contact (it didn't help that I was on the front row) and we both lost it.  This school year has been such a growing process for our sweet girl.  I will never forget when I first met Mrs. Lombardo at Kaia's ARD (IEP) meeting.  I remember sitting in the meeting pointing out all of the things that Kaia was struggling with.  Her teacher looked at me, smiled, and said something along these lines,  "That's just kindergarten age for ya, she sounds like she is going to fit in just fine."   I was shocked.  Really, my child wasn't so different or as developmentally behind as I thought?  She gave me a lot of new hope for Kaia.  I knew from that meeting that this year was going to be a huge step forward for our Kaia girl and it was.  I suppose maybe that is why I was so emotional.  Kaia had a wonderful year!  She is reading on about a 2nd grade level, she can write, spell, and is a pretty good drawer.  She struggles a bit with math and a bit with comprehension but she is right on track and will develop these skills over time.  A few weeks ago we received some really great news.  She is NOT on the autism spectrum!  We weren't sure and it is more difficult to diagnose a girl than it is a boy.  We had her evaluated while we were living in Ohio and the doctor wasn't completely sure.  She diagnosed her with PDD-NOS but wasn't 100% confident with that diagnosis; but, we went with that and started her speech therapy and early intervention at the preschool there.  Once we got settled here we decided to have her evaluated by the autism team that this school district provided.   Matt and I were both so happy to hear that she wasn't on the spectrum.  She is a little behind in some things but we don't mind. She is our girl and we love her just the same. She is continuing to make great strides and we are so proud of her.  It was a very special day. 

Walking in looking so mature and grown up.  I almost lost it here.  ;)

Mrs. Walker congratulating her and giving her the diploma.

She was so proud!  

Daddy was able to pull some strings at work and come to her graduation.  She was so happy to see him there!

Gramma came too!  (We love living closer to our families.)

These two are too much alike! 

We love Mrs. Lombardo.  She is such a special person.

And to top off this already emotional day my mom and I talked Kaia into letting us pull her VERY wiggly front teeth.  She lost not one, but two that day.  Oh baby girl, please stop growing up!