Class of 2021

It's kind of been the week of Gracie around here, which we don't mind since we are all so happy/excited/emotional about the fact that our girl is now done with high school. Man. 

School ended for Gracie last week. I wanted to take a last day of school picture before she left for the traditional Senior Parking Lot Party held on the morning of the senior's last day, but it didn't get done in the messiness of four different school departure times. Ben did snap a picture of Gracie's car, all decorated by her little sister as a last-day-of-high-school surprise. 

A few days ago, we started the celebrations with the Senior Stroll around her elementary school (and Kate's current school). It was the sweetest. Seeing Kate and her classmates cheer on Gracie and her classmates was great. After the parade, the former Bulldogs met on the front steps for pictures and then we got to visit with Gracie's fourth grade teacher, who we really liked.

After days of habitually checking the weather forecast, we were so happy to have beautiful weather for the graduation ceremony! The event was held outdoors on the football field under a bright and shiny sky. The rain plan would have been an indoor ceremony split into three groups based on placement in the alphabet, so we were so thankful that Grace got to walk with her entire class. It wouldn't have felt quite the same otherwise. 

Before graduation, we celebrated with dinner at one of Gracie's favorite restaurants. We loved that Nini, Gram, and Grandpa were able to drive to Webster to join in the evening, even if they were not able to attend the ceremony because of Covid-induced seating restrictions. We ate dinner together and then came back to the house for a few pictures before leaving for the ceremony. I loved that both grandmas had Mizzou shirts on for the fun. 

After the ceremony, we came back to our house for cake and a firepit before Gracie ran off to celebrate with her friends. Her boyfriend, Adrean, came over to join us and meet the grandparents. After Grace and Adrean left, we hung out a bit more catching up- so enjoying the fact that we had family in town. It's been a long, long time. 

There are a slew of friend parties that Gracie will be attending over the next couple of weeks, as well as her own graduation party which will be held in Decatur next weekend. She spent today off at the Senior Picnic, a fun event with a hypnotist, mechanical bull, and more food and prizes than she could believe. 

I hope that Gracie- and all of her 2021 classmates- feel celebrated this week. Their senior year has not been the easiest, so they really deserve to feel the love as they graduate.