seems like just yesterday, that alyssa was starting kindergarten. and yet, it was actually almost 10 years ago. and tonight, my girl is graduating from junior high school. that means that high school is next, in just 2 short months. awwwwwww. this mom is getting a little emotional about this big moment in her life. i'm tearing up just thinking about it. but, before she marches out in her gown and accepts that diploma, i thought it would be fun to look back over the years. i worked really hard to find all the "first day" photos from each school year. only 4 of these are digital. the rest, i had to dig for extra copies laying in boxes, or take pictures of the picture, that is already on a layout in an album. here we go.

Alyssa_kind_2001

kindergarten – 2001/2002

Alyssa_1stgrade_2002

1st grade – 2002/2003

Alyssa_2ndgrade_2003

2nd grade – 2003/2004 

Alyssa_3rdgrade_2004

3rd grade – 2004/2005

Alyssa_4thgrade_2005

4th grade – 2005/2006

Alyssa_5thgrade2_2006

5th grade – 2006/2007

Alyssa_6thgrade_2007

6th grade – 2007/2008

Alyssa_7thgrade_2008

7th grade – 2008/2009

Alyssa_8thgrade_2009

8th grade – 2009/2010

i love seeing these all together. in fact, i might just dig out my negatives, have copies made, and scrap them all together for her school album. making a mental note to do that. wish us luck tonight. it's supposed to rain, which means they've already decided to move the ceremonies inside the gym. which means less people can come and watch. which means we got limited to just 7 tickets. sarah was gracious enough to offer up her ticket, so that all 4 of the grandparents could come and watch alyssa. sarah said "it's not that i don't care, but i want them to see her". awwwww. i just love my girls 🙂

update: one of alyssa's friends came across an extra ticket. so sarah DID get to go to graduation tonight 🙂

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26 responses to “how alyssa got to this day”

  1. Cheryl Avatar
    Cheryl

    Awwwwww … they sure grow up fast, don’t they?

    Like

  2. Sara Rossi Avatar

    Love seeing how much she’s grown over the years! So cute to see she wasn’t much bigger than her backpack in the 1st few years! 😉 Have fun tonight & pack plenty of tissues!
    CONGRATULATIONS ALYSSA!!!

    Like

  3. Kathie Vonhof Avatar
    Kathie Vonhof

    She’s such a cutie and we’re so proud of her. And, thanks, Sarah, for giving up your ticket for us. It means a lot to us. Grammy and Papa

    Like

  4. Carla Avatar

    Awwww is right! She is so adorable in all those pics. She’s so tiny that her backpacks look so HUGE 🙂
    Can’t wait to see that layout! have a nice time tonight and tell her congrats from me. And Sarah is so sweet to give up her ticket.

    Like

  5. Wendy Sue Avatar

    So sweet…and she is growing into her backpack so beautifully! 😉 Have fun at her graduation – can’t wait to see pictures of her big day/night! :o)

    Like

  6. Lynn Avatar

    Oh Laura…so sweet…both of your girls are just beautiful…it’s nice to watch them grow up from your blog. Sending you hugs…as I know I’d be an emotional mess!

    Like

  7. Diana Avatar

    that’s so fun! you’ve got WONDERFUL girls! Good luck tonight! 🙂

    Like

  8. dawn Avatar
    dawn

    she’s so tiny in those first pictures with the packpack and is so cute. I love the change in her everywhere with the size, smile, braces, backpacks, she has grown up beautifully. I can’t believe my Renee will start 8th grade in August. Hope you have lots of tissues. can’t wait to see the pics from tonight. So sweet of Sarah to give up a ticket.

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  9. JenGallacher Avatar
    JenGallacher

    Please tell me I’m not the only one who cries at these things. 🙂

    Like

  10. lorry Avatar
    lorry

    Love the photos! She has grown up beautifully. And just so you know I had tears when reading the part of Sarah giving up her ticket!! (and I don’t even know them irl!!) but I love Sweet stories. Hope the rain holds out and you have a fun time.!

    Like

  11. krolski (kathy) Avatar

    So sweet. Love the photos. She’s such a beautiful girl and she’s lucky to have you as a Mom!

    Like

  12. Leslie Avatar
    Leslie

    The work finding these pics was worth it – this is a great idea. She was a cutie from day 1!!

    Like

  13. kat Avatar
    kat

    what a cool post! love that idea for a scrapbook page

    Like

  14. Heather Ruwe Avatar

    loved seeing all her first day of school pics…thanks for sharing….too cute! 🙂

    Like

  15. lynda p Avatar
    lynda p

    that’s really sweet. i’ll be in your shoes in about 11 school days. my eldest son will be heading off to the high school campus. i was just thinking today too, since he won’t be taking the bus, do i drive him right up to the school, is there a parent drop off. i’m going to invite his pre school teacher to his grad. we don’t have tickets to the “promotion” and no gowns 😦

    Like

  16. marissa Avatar
    marissa

    Awww, congratulations Alyssa!!! It is hard to believe she is going to high school next year! Where did the time go? Such sweet photos, and what a great mom you are for documenting her years! And my oldest and your youngest will be there in just a few more years! Hard to believe!

    Like

  17. jen shears Avatar

    Awwwww!!! To be sure! Both of them- how sweet is Sarah to be so thoughtful of the grandparents!!! Hope you all had a wonderful time!

    Like

  18. Sonia (Sony) Avatar

    laura:
    Love the photos!!… She is so adorable in all those pics
    Thanks for sharing!!
    Sony
    Sonia-Studio60

    Like

  19. Mary Lynn Avatar
    Mary Lynn

    Totally awesome pictures. They do grow up so fast.
    Congratulations to Alyssa

    Like

  20. wendy myers Avatar

    What an amazing journey our kids make! She will love the album! Congrats to Alyssa!
    My favorite is 1st grade when the backpack is bigger than her. So Cute!

    Like

  21. Sierra Avatar

    I think you had Sam when she hit 2nd grade. This is such a sweet post Laura! How fun to see her growing up.

    Like

  22. Suzanne Avatar

    She looks so sweet!!! I love all the photos you shared! They grow up so quickly!!!!! Congrats to your beautiful daughter!!!! A new chapter is about to begin! (:

    Like

  23. karin Avatar
    karin

    Congratulations Alyssa – Good Luck in High School! And STAY SWEET – it will help your parents cope!
    Laura – YOU are a huge reason on how your baby got to this day!
    Congrats to you, too.
    PS – your bangs look amazing!

    Like

  24. Ginny Avatar
    Ginny

    How fun to see all those pictures together! Congrats to Alyssa!

    Like

  25. Laura T. Avatar

    Wow – what a proud mama you must be. Love the pictures, and yes, I think a layout should definitely be in the works.

    Like

  26. lisa Avatar
    lisa

    Congratulations to Alyssa. Love seeing all the photos together, especially that first one (her backpack is almost bigger than she is!). What beautiful daughters you have Laura, you must be so proud of them.

    Like

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