This is my third, my youngest, my sweet pea, my baby. She was almost one on this Easter morning, and did she rock the Easter hat or what?
Tomorrow she graduates from high school. She is threatening to leave me in the fall and go to the University of Texas, but I am still hoping she is just teasing me, and that she will stay with me forever, as I always thought she would. But if she does go off to that big orange tower in Austin, and becomes a crazy amazing nurse, I will be assured of receiving wonderful care in my dotage. So maybe she should go, after all. I will be bopping back and forth between Texas and Paris, so I probably won’t even miss her. Or her radiant smile. Or her bubbling personality. Nope. The Empty Nest will not be so bad. I am looking forward to devoting a lot more time to my day drinking and Twitter. And blogging, of course.
So off with you, my dear one. Keep Austin weird and make people laugh and learn how to be a nurse. And be sure to send me lots of selfies and texts telling me how much you miss me. And follow me on Twitter.
Mais Oui Paris 
She’s gorgeous, Kate! Check your messages on Facebook. I don’t have your phone number or e-mail addy.
Dolly
OK- will do!
I don’t see any messages! I am Kate Hall Mai and Mais Oui Paris.
She is beautiful like her Mama! It’s bittersweet when they find their wings and leave the nest! Congratulations…all will be well!
Thanks so much, Hannah! I know you are right.
Love that girl and love you….I think you will be okay with three children out of the nest. And just in case you’re not…I have three I can send you’re way…lots of love to you dear friend, ML
Gorgeous girl and beautiful post. So nice to have more than one nest so you aren’t actually sure if yours is empty. 🙂
You know, you’re right. Two nests are way more distracting than one!
Your baby is so beautiful’ Isn’t it funny how you worry about when they should be weaned, then suddenly you wake up and they are climbing some stairs accepting diploma.
Good karma to her.
Love Denise
So many milestones! How could she be grown?
She is absolutely beautiful just as you. She will make the finest of nurses. Enjoy Paris and your drinking. If you get bored I can always travel to Paris to see you without the guys.
Mark from London via Houston
Thanks, sweetie. Paris and drinking- what’s not to be happy about?
Beautiful pics!!! That Easter dress is so sweet!!!
Thanks!
Kate, she is lovely. We will take good care of her here in Austin. My oldest baby is graduating and off to Bucknell. I will miss him…. Cyndy
Merci, Cyndy! It’s tough, isn’t it?
Who could have imagined when you and I were doing our own walks across the stage to pomp and circumstance that you would one day watch your own do that walk. She’s beautiful and I’ve no doubt as charming and lovely as you and her wonderful Dad. Congratulations, Kate. You are clearly good at this parenting thing.
Oh Marty, you are so dear. She is indeed a fabulous young woman, though I do not take credit for that.
Gorgeous daughter you have, Kate! I’m hoping there’s a medical career in line for my little guy (all 7 tears of him) in the future too as I’m going to need a good doctor by the time he finishes his studies : )