He did it!! Carter spent the weekend celebrating his grade 9 grad and we are so beyond happy and excited for him! He worked his butt off, was an awesome classmate, made people laugh, took good care of his kindergarten buddies and has made so many memories at RDL. I cannot believe he's been there since grade 1. Nine years! It went so fast and I can't believe its all coming to an end in a couple of days.
Carter's grad was a 10/10! I cant believe our big guy is heading to high school in the fall. It feels surreal.
Grad kickoff started Thursday night for some of us parents. Where we spent our evening setting up and decorating the hall, tropical theme!
Friday was the big day! Grade 9 grad. First, we met friends at the Sait parkade for photos at 2pm. I am so glad I chose an indoor location for these because this weekend we had about 100mm of rain. It rained SO much, non stop for 48 hours.
I am going to miss these friends so much. Carter has been so lucky to have been blessed with amazing friends who are kind, hilarious and genuinely good kids. Taking these photos was such an honour and I know that we will cherish these memories forever.
These 5 girls have been a core part of Carter's friend group but also have treated Penny like a little best friend and Penny is going to miss them so much next year when they go to high school. Our little school really is like one giant family. We have been the luckiest!!
After photos, we all went to Holy Grill for dinner together. It was squishy but it was perfect!
The kids needed to be back to the school for 5:30pm. Their ceremony started at 6. Everything truly worked out perfectly on Friday. Their ceremony was awesome. Carter waslked the stage and got his certificate. I was asked to give the parent speech for the night and although I lost sleep over the nerves, it turned out great. Carter even came up to me after and said "Mom, your speech was awesome, all my friends were laughing, thank you so much, I love you" and thats all I needed. My heart exploded. Love you too bud.
Carter, we are so proud of you!! Seriously, way to go buddy!
Straight from the ceremony, we went to the hall where the grads got to dance, have a soda bar, candy, chips, backyard games, a DJ and photobooth. A night packed with fun until 11:30pm. Brian and I volunteered in the Tiki Bar with Jon, Allison and Marissa. It was honestly such a fun night!
Carter's night didn't end there though. After they left the hall at 11:30pm, a bunch of boys went to Arlo's house for a sleepover. They apparently stayed up until 4am hanging out and slept in until 11am.
Saturday came and we went to clean up the hall in the afternoon and then Carter went to one more after grad party at Brooklyns house all Saturday night. We are so tired but filed with so much gratitude for all the fun that has been had this weekend!
I have to be honest that amongst all the incredible fun we've had this weekend, Ive also shed a years worth of tears in between it all. Of all those kids in the photos, so far, we only know one of the girls coming to the same High school as Carter. So, my Mom heart is shattering slowly and Im not sure Ill be able to survive Carter's actual last day of school at RDL. I wish that there was at least a little handful of friends going to his high school. These kids are amazing and I wish they could all stay together.
Carter has had an awesome grade 9 year. School sports, the greatest friends. So many blessings has come from this school and we won't forget it!
The worst part? These trio that have been best friends since Grade 3/4 are being split up for High School and I truly am not sure how we're gonna do it. This is our village. We rely on each other, confide in one another and its just always been these three. I can't imagine a world where they're not all together and yet that will be the reality in the fall. Im gonna need a tranquilizer...
I honestly cant even think about it without crying. Its going to be ok, right? I wish I could see the future and give myself confidence that it will be ok but right now I just feel clouded with doubt and uncertainty. It feels heavy and hard and Im not loving this part.
How lucky are we that parting to different high schools is so hard... it really just means that its all been so wonderful to get to this point.
Carter, I want you to know how much we love you. When we first became parents, everyone told us how fast every phase would go. On one hand, we can't believe you're heading to high school and on the other hand we can't wait to see all the amazing things you will do. We are so incredibly proud to be your parents. You are such an amazing young man. You have made the best of your Jr. High years, you have worked hard, made friends, had good days and bad days and have done it all with respect. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!
Carter, congratulations on your grade 9 grad! This is such an exciting phase of life. I know you're going to crush high school (even though right now it feels scary and exciting all at the same time!). We're so excited for all the next adventures and hope that you will remember all the amazing memories that you had along the way. We love you endlessly! You mean everything to Dad and I. Love you forever! Congrats bud!
