Cora's Promotion

And after seven eventful and rewarding years, Cora's time in elementary school drew to a culmination Wednesday morning, with a sweet ceremony in which Cora played a key role.

Cora and Jake both looked very nervous as they walked in together to take their places in the front row.

Jake played a special part in the ceremony too, welcoming the distinguished guests, along with the rest of us riff raff.

Soon after, Cora had her turn. The speech she wrote was selected a few weeks earlier after an audition in front of the teachers. I knew she was a bit nervous, but her audience didn't. She delivered her speech beautifully, fully memorized, making eye contact with her audience, speaking articulately and slowly.






She also looked beautiful and so grownup. Thanks to Pam for these lovely photos - Pam earned a front-row seat by getting herself and the twins to school before 6:30 a.m.!

Thanks also to our friend Michael for this video - he and his family had front-row seats courtesy of a Trivia Night prize. Nice that the family fun event I organized worked out to help us in this way, in the end!

Later, the students were asked to stand to note their participation in  various school activities - orchestra, student council, the musical, GATE, etc. 

Cora stood for nearly all of them. This didn't go unnoticed - several people later commented on it to us, and our neighbor John asked how Cora's knees were doing after so much standing and sitting.

As the students were called up individually to get their certificates, they each took the mic to deliver one line - a goal, a favorite memory, etc. Cora said: "I'm not sure where I want to work, but I want to live in the middle of an Amazon rain forest."

Then, after they sang a final song, and after the principal spoke, they stood together.

As the last ones in, Cora and Jake were also the first ones out.

They were a lot happier leaving then they were walking in! Thanks to Jen for this sweet photo.

Jake doesn't like dressing up, so he was happy to un-tuck! Cora's holding a cute graduation bear gift from Grandma.

Here's Sophia, Leisha, Cora and Cami.

Cora and Vivian -yes, Vivi's gotten tall! (But she was also in heels!)

I love Jen!

Cora and Trent - friends since Pioneer Club Skippers at 2 1/2, and classmates in kindergarten, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 5th grade and 6th grade. It looks like they coordinated their outfits!

Grateful to our family who got up and out so early to be there for Cora!

After the ceremony, Violet went back to class - her choice, she had a project she wanted to be there to present. Grandpa had to take Grandma to work, so we met up with them that night for frozen yogurt. And Mel, Nick, Stace and I took Cora to Starbucks - her choice!

The highlight of our outing was not Cora's frappuccino - it was the gift of a cell phone, for real, with cell service and a phone number and everything. 

Cora's been waiting for this day for many months now, and though she knew what she was opening, the look on her face was still special. Now, she can text her friends - one friend in particular - and stay in touch without borrowing mom's phone.

Congratulations, Cora Rose. What a day, what a great seven years. We're so proud of you, and we know you'll go on to do great things in junior high and beyond.