the leaver's ball

My eldest child, my 18 year old went to school for the last time today. Although she still has to go in for her A Level exams, today was the last time after 7 years that they were all together as a group. It has been an absolute emotional week for her - although of course she doesn't want to stay at school and is looking forward to the journey ahead...she just didn't appreciate how much she defined herself through her school, her friends and the activities she is involved in through school and how sad she would be to end it all. As she said, "It has just gone so fast, who knew it would?"

It goes without saying, I too can hardly believe that 14 years of her education time has passed...wonderful, wonderful years.

Today we shared with her the Leaver's Celebration in the church which was absolutely beautiful and then tonight we sent her on her way to her Ball...

I loved capturing a moment as she prepared...knowing that there will be less and less of these times I will share with her as she takes bigger and bigger steps into her independent life.

Have added extras of her all dressed up, including one with her little sister who insisted on seeing all the pretty dresses!