Bridging to Brownies

It seems like every day there is a new event that reminds me that my babies are growing up. Whoa, make it stop! Last week Ryan had her "bridging" ceremony. This is a ceremony celebrated by all girls scouts of all ages that shows that you are moving up to the next level in the girl scout chain. This year's bridging ceremony, for the Graces, marked the milestone of Ryan moving from being a Daisy to an official Brownie!

We took some memorable pictures of the event...

Ryan and bestie, Kendall, were both chosen for important jobs for the ceremony. Kendall was in charge of carrying the flag across the bridge and Ryan was a caller. She had to memorize several important lines (mommy, was nervous)

Even serious jobs have a little silliness involved, right?



Our troop, #407, led all of the troops across the bridge.

The ceremony is held annually at the CSULB Japanese Gardens. Even though I work in Long Beach and earned my teaching credential at the university, I had never seen the gardens. They are truly breathtaking. Beauitful.

The "callers" Ryan and Ava did a great job.

"Girl Scouts Attention."

"Girl Scouts Advance."

"Please stand for the presentation of the American Flag."

"Girl Scouts, post your colors."

"Girl scouts, honor your colors."

"Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance."

Girl Scouts, you are dismissed."

"Please be seated."

Whoooo, that was a lot of lines to remember... It didn't help that we didn't practice until that morning (shhhh, don't tell... it was a busy week for mommy)

Here are the girl scouts "advancing."

the Pledge of Allegiance

Our big girl has successfully waled across the bridge to as is now bridged as a brownie!
What a fun metaphor for the experience. Metaphor??? Pretty literal, huh?

After a two (long) hour ceremony, the girls are now officially brownies.

(PS.... in that two hours mommy at least figured out that the years that Charlie and Ryan bridge will be at the ssame ceremony. Phew, we will only do this once every two years. Another of my friends, simultaneously, figured out that her daughters will be on opposite "bridging" schedules and she will get to come to this lucky, two hour ceremony, every year... Yay, for her!...LOL)

yes, I admit, this ceremony was long, dull, and boring but I will GLADLY attend to show my support to girl scouts and Ryan's leaders. They are phenominal! Ryan is getting such a great experience in learning about morals, respect, trustworthiness, and friendship! It's awesome.

Proud Troop #407!

(Quiz: Can you guess what the leaders had for snack afterward?)