You’ll be happy to know that when my son walked down the aisle to the sounds of Pomp and Circumstance this morning, I did not wail pitifully or throw myself on the floor, hanging on to his ankles in an effort to keep him from getting up on the stage.
No, I was completely composed. Perhaps I misted up a bit – what mother didn’t? But I let him go. I let him stand up there with his peers while they sang songs. The peers sang songs, I mean. My sweet son indulged in outbursts and clownish behaviors in an effort to hide his nervousness.
I had my camera ready as he accepted his diploma, posed with his grandmothers, and hugged his little friends. And I didn’t even shed a tear at the thought that those who had woken up this morning as preschoolers, were heading back home as kindergartners. No, that is one of those things that will probably happen some random day, while I’m vacuuming, or biting into a peanut butter sandwich. I’ll wonder how all of the sweet innocence of preschool could already be over, and how I will keep from missing it too much. But that’s for another time. For now we celebrate, take the little guy out for the supper of his choice, and display his diploma proudly on the refrigerator.
And when we’re not actively doing one of those things, we blog 😉 These are my flickr favorites for the week. I don’t think I’ve posted a mosaic recently, but I wanted to post this one because I really like it. I feel very summery and happy looking at these images. Here’s hoping you have a summery and happy weekend! It’s going to be very hot here. It may be time to fill up the kiddie pool and splash around with my new kindergartner and his brother, the almost third-grader…
Aww, congratulations to your little guy!
They have graduations from preschool?? I mean come on, doesn’t that kind of diminish the importance of real graduations?
I’m so reminded of the movie “The Incredibles” — and hey, IMDb even has the exchange I’m thinking of quoted:
Helen: I can’t believe you don’t want to go to your own son’s graduation.
Bob: It’s not a graduation. He is moving from the 4th grade to the 5th grade.
Helen: It’s a ceremony!
Bob: It’s psychotic!
Yeah, I know that line, and in some ways, I am in agreement. But you know, nobody is confusing preschool graduation with a REAL graduation. They get up on the stage in their homemade caps, sing a couple of songs, get a colorful diploma, enjoy some applause and retire to the basement for cookies & goodbyes.
Despite the fact that preschool isn’t really a “big deal” it’s still a milestone that the kids get excited about. And, really, what’s wrong with celebrating little milestones as they occur? It’s not like he’s getting gifts, or cards with big checks in them or anything. He’s getting to pose for pictures with friends he may never see again, he gets to have a sweet little cookie-filled sendoff, and we get to help him feel special for the day.
Kids like that. Feeling special, I mean. Who wouldn’t, really?
FWIW, I thought Preschool Graduation was kind of silly, but then watching my son up on stage last Saturday made me really happy and glad we didn’t skip it. He was SO proud of himself and we were amazed how he blossomed this year, it made the day really special.
Lisa – now we can commiserate about Kindergarten come August!
I didn’t realize we had boys the same age! Is he your youngest, too? I am either going to be a messy puddle of emotion watching him get on the bus, or I’m going to be skipping down the driveway singing, “I’m free, tra la la!” It depends on what kind of summer we have, LOL!
Oldest and youngest, ie., he’s the only! ;0)