words from mr. rodriguez (choir 2nd-4th)

Dear Isabella, 

By the time you read this you will be on your way to college in order to fulfill one of the most precious dreams of any Kippster. 

All I can say is that I am very proud of you and your hard work. Also, I want to thank you for being a role model and a great sample for the rest of your classmates and Dreamsters since you were always reading to grow your brain.

Likewise, I want to thank you for being a founder of our KIPP Dream Prep Seeds of Hope Choir. Thank you for always being there supporting our choir with your time and amazing talent. 

I will never forget how you covered for one of your team mates that morning at the Houston Zoo concert where you courageously sang her solos. You did such a wonderful job singing and filling in for her that our choir will always be in debt to you. Seeds of Hope shined that morning because of your great talent and courage. 

Isabella, I might not see you again, but I want you to remember that it was an honor and a privilege being your music teacher. May God bless you and keep you in all your ways and allows you to fulfill all of your dreams by shining brighter every day with the power of your knowledge and talents.

Your music teacher,

Mr. Rodriguez 

end of year (pre-k 3 and 4th grade)

Guys! The year is over! How did that happen?!

Ellie,

We had your end of year ceremony yesterday. It was the cutest thing ever! I can't believe you're headed to big girl Pre-K next year. I left work early to make it on time to get a good seat so you'd see me right away. It was so great to see how beautiful you felt with your "princess dress".

You won the Excellence in Math award!

Afterwards, we went had a little get together in your classroom and then we had a one-on-one date. 

(PK3 Luau)

I am SO proud of you, baby. You are simply....a magnet. You are a magnet for fun, you are a magnet for love, you are a magnet for LIFE. You're lightning in a bottle, and I am so glad that the world got to see that this year. Everywhere you go, you light up a room with your personality and your wit. I know you will do BIG things with your life, and I'm so glad to see you thriving (even in PK3). 

You even have teachers requesting you in their classrooms next year! I can't wait to see where life will take you, kiddo. I often (and by often I mean ALL THE TIME) worry that the decisions we make as parents aren't the right ones...that somehow we will fail you along the way. After all, we're all doing this together. But I think...with you, something clicked because you are FIERCE, and that is one of your greatest qualities. You have no problem with speaking up, and believe me...that's going to come in really handy later on in life. I'm glad I have a front row seat to the Ellie Show (because trust me, it's the Ellie Show!)

_____________________________

Bella,

I'm sure you'll hear this countless times in your life, but you are one of a kind. Last night, we had your end of year banquet. You won Excellence in Reading and Excellence in Music. I can't believe you're headed off to middle school next year. This is all so surreal and bittersweet for us. On the one hand, I am really enjoying seeing you blossom and come into your own. I see small glimpses of the person who I hope you will become one day, and I am in awe that someone as ordinary as me could create humans as extraordinary as you and you sister.

You asked your dad to wear his khakis, you looked so proud showing up with him. 

___________________________________

Babies, 

Thank you for being ours. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of being your parents. If all we ever do in life is raise you two, we can already count ourselves as having accomplished it all. You make us proud beyond words every day, and can't wait to see you take on this big world. We'll be behind you, cheering you on every step of the way. 

Love you. Forever.