This has been a truly momentous day for EvieG. This means me too, only mine was more emotional. EvieG had her Kindergarten Graduation this afternoon. And then add to it shipping her off on a bus for 2 days tonight. This makes for one anxious DDM. It's like she went out and got all big girl on me in a day.

Her Kindergarten ceremony was the cutest. She was up on stage in her pretty dress, stockings, and tattered running shoes (her 'indoor' shoes). She has a graduation cap made from black Bristol board. I felt like this was her big grad, her big, shining moment where next would come interviews and internships. But no. This is only the first academic milestone that put my heart into a state of elation, happiness, pride, and anxiety all at the same time. She sang songs, recited a poem, and she received her diploma. And I was the sap in the back welling; trying my hardest not to burst into fits of tears. I was relieved when they darkened the room for the slide show so I could wipe my eyes. They celebrated with cupcakes. I refrained since I am all detox and stuff. But I did start salivating like one of Pavlov's dogs when I passed the cake-mix-goodness with sparkles. We made a big deal about this and even took her out for dinner. She wasn't hungry. I guess it was Betty Crocker's fault.

We went home and got her all set for her camping trip. She is going with her Girl Guide group an hour away and is going to sleep in her sleeping bag in a bunkhouse. She is ecstatic about this adventure. Me, I am torn. I am happy she wanted to be a part of this trip. She begged me over and over to let her go. I kept saying that I would talk to Hubby. We decided to ask some other parents of the wee girls and it seemed that many of them were sending their girls. So we decided to support this confidence and independence. We let her go. For the whole 2 nights. We drive to pick her up on Sunday.

We packed together yesterday. We used our Royal Blue Coleman cooler to pack all her stuff in. It has an easy, flip up lid, and can be pulled on its wheels. Very convenient. Ten bucks says someone's going to say, "Oh goodie! Who remembered the case of OV?" The cooler minus the cold ones didn't fit her pillow or waterproof seat, so we tied those to the cooler with bungee cords. Awesome. I sat with her, organized everything, labeled with permanent marker, and packed it all up. We went over the rules about camp several times. All the while, my heart was flitting with anxiety.

And then she left.

We signed her in, put her on the bus, and blew our thousand kisses. She was so excited she barely said good-bye. In fact, she kind of dissed Hubby. She gave him a quick hug, only because I told her too and said, "Bye, Daddy!" She gave me a bit more than that but she was really ready to go. I was emotional again, welling, and the whole bit, and even had a bit of a cry after they pulled out of the parking lot.

If we had said no to this excursion, she would have been heartbroken. So here I am as I write this missing my EvieG enormously as she is settling into her first real away experience. She is strong and independent. We would never want to squash that. We want to nurture that in her. I am just worried for her as she goes on her own.

This whole parenthood thing really tests our emotional strength. As I was bringing The Destroyer and Spark Plug upstairs for their bath, I thought Man! This is only the first child! We have 2 more to go though all of this with! They are going to do me in! It's worse than a made-for-TV-movie!

This is the first academic achievement and trip away from home for EvieG. All in one day. She really is growing quickly and with that I am trying hard to cherish her time as a little girl because before we know it, she will be tossing her graduation cap into the air in her gown and then be gone.

All's I'm sayin's all.

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Labels: EvieG