Saying Goodbye to BFA

 We couldn't have picked a better day to be our kids last day at school. It was the last day before Christmas break. They all had holiday parties, so I was able to go and take some pictures of them with their friends on their last day. They made wonderful friends who they are missing so much. We will miss Ben Franklin Academy a lot. It was a wonderful school with wonderful teachers and a wonder atmosphere. Cindy and Lyla went with me to the parties, and they were such good sports as they ran from classroom to classroom with me. Here are some pictures I captured that will be treasures for my kiddos.

Ever since Alexis started kindergarten I had been dreading the junior high years. BFA was a great place for her to ease into her junior high experience. I love how small and intimate it was. We will really miss it. She made some amazing friends there and it was really hard for her to say goodbye.

Gabby, Hannah, Alexis, and Katie. Katie and Gabby were Alexis's two best friends while at BFA. They had some great times together. Katie text Alexis the other day and said, "everything is falling apart without you here!"

One last picture in front of her locker

Alexis and her friend Emma

Alexis with Katie and two of her favorite teachers.

Katie and Gabby had a goodbye sleepover for Alexis right after school. Alexis (and I) were glad that she didn't have to say her goodbyes at school that day. 

Here are Tori and her best friend Julie the last day. These two were such good buddies and reminded me of myself and my best friend growing up, Mary Sue.

I feel like we really lucked out with the teachers our kids got. Tori absolutely loved her teacher Mrs. Ward. She tried really hard to make her feel loved on her last day. She had all of the students write her a goodbye letter and even printed out pictures of everyone in her class for Tori to have to remember them by. Tori already has them made up into a scrapbook which she loves to look at.

All of her classmates were so sweet all throughout the party. If they ever thought that she was about to leave they would run up to her and beg her not to leave.

Please don't go!

Tori felt very loved that day. 

One last picture outside of her classroom

She also had a goodbye sleepover with Julie a few days later, so it made her goodbyes a little easier that day.

Levi was a different story.

He too had a great time at his holiday party with his class. They played all sorts of fun games.

Levi and his good buddy Ethan

Being a goofball during a game.

More buddies.

Snow ball fight with wadded up paper! A definite hit!

It was so fun to have Lyla visit for his party

Levi got to be the "Stat Student" since it was his last day.

Levi's teacher Ms. Whelan was outstanding. Tori had her as well when she was in second grade, so we got to know her well. 

 

We ran in to one of his best friends Chase in the hall. These two boys had some good times together and Levi will really miss him. They shared the love of skateboarding and "colored pants" He was a good buddy to Levi 

Another picture with Ethan





Then came the hard part of  saying goodbye. I could see it in his face that it was going to be hard for him. He was holding together really well until he went to give his teacher a hug goodbye. That's when the tears started.  It broke my heart. As soon as he started crying I did, then his teachers, then several other moms. I wish goodbyes weren't so hard!

Levi spent the rest of the day in my lap crying off and on. One of the hardest things about moving was taking our kids away from all of their friends, and family that were always near by. Luckily they are all making great new friends and thriving at their new schools; a definite answer to many prayers.

We will never forget BFA though.