My Little Graduate | Westchase Photographer | Ailyn La Torre Photographer

| Westchase Photographer |

My son graduated Pre-K yesterday!!! And although I could not be prouder of all my little man has accomplished, worked very hard at and learned in the past 3 years- this is a very bittersweet moment for me…

You see Evan has gone to this school since he was 3. He was able to start elementary school early because he attended a program they have for kids with developmental delays- which Evan has. So for the past 3 years he has gone to the same school with the same awesome teachers and mostly the same sweet little friends. He adores every minute of it…he can’t wait to go in the morning and literally bolts to his classroom as soon as he hits the pavement, waving and saying “hi” to everyone he sees along the way like he owns the place 🙂

I remember the very first day…he was a baby… my 3 year old baby and I (being a typical mom) was terrified of leaving him there- unlike with most kids, I couldn’t explain to him where he was going and why he would be there…so I was even more worried of what would happen….What would he do? Would he think I just left him there? What if the teachers didn’t understand what he needed? I had taken the first 2 days off from work, so I could be there promptly at 2 to pick him up myself and while I waited at home I just sat staring at my phone just in case they called and needed me to come get him (I know-paranoid!)…but all I got was a very nice text from the teacher with 2 pictures, where of course Evan was laughing and already having a great time!

In my eyes, all good teachers are amazing for doing what they do everyday- but teachers to children with special needs deserve their own category of amazing- for it takes a very special person with extra strength, extra patience and an extra big heart to teach and guide these kiddos. I knew, from that very first text- these teachers were going to be that kind of awesome, they cared so much from that very first day and never stopped. They love my son and every little one in their care as if they were their own and it shows in every thing they do. During the years they became our “partner-parents”, working with us on every challenge we faced and celebrating along with us every time Evan surpassed one – I love them, they have become my friends and I will miss them all…

Ms. Connie, Ms. O and Ms. Jo (Ms. Sarah and Ms. Ellie) I could never tell you how thankful I am to have had you in our lives for the past 3 years, you make a difference in these little lives and we love you for that- THANK YOU!

So as we close this chapter and Evan moves on to the big K next year…I will miss all the wonderful people he has had along the way to help him, teach him and love him- which is the bitter– but I’m also excited to see what lies ahead! I look forward to see Evan meet new challenges, make new friends and have more successful moments. I celebrate my son’s pre-K graduation with hope in my heart for the best and brightest future ahead and I know this smart child of mine will continue to surprise me, challenge me and bring me some of the best moments of my life! -which is the sweet 🙂

Evan- We love you sweet boy. You make daddy and I so proud. Always. ~Happy First Graduation!!!

Here are a few pictures of Evan’s Pre-K adventures and Graduation celebration (some I took and others are from his teachers)…

His very first day of school…