Barrettes to bakelite

Just 6 short years ago, I thought I would wither and die when Caroline boarded the school bus looking like this.   The little plastic barrettes, the missing teeth, the monogrammed jumper and the ladybug backpack - how could she possibly be ready for big girl school?

And then today, she boarded the bus for her last day of grade school, looking like this:

An orange fedora with rhinestones, giant bakelite earrings, a Vera Bradley bag and black hightop converse.  Next year - middle school.  How could she possibly be ready for big girl school?  Then I got to thinking - she has learned more in grade school than 40-somethings learned in grade AND middle school.  She has chosen an amazing group of friends who are happy and nice and 100% supportive of each other.  She has an enormous heart that she uses to treat people with care and kindness.

Okay, she's ready.  And I will stand beside her and cheer her on!