Pre-K1 Graduation Party!

It's hard to believe a year has flown by and Evan's Dolphin class is celebrating it's graduation today! Ms. Rita had a great party at her neighborhood clubhouse (the kids loved going to a "real clubhouse"), and the kids sure didn't mind the heat and humidity.

The old farmhouse had a huge wrap-around porch perfect for running (Drew kept asking why we couldn't go in the pool), a great playground, bushes in the back perfect for hiding games, and wonderful old rooms that the teachers and kids quickly filled with games and songs. We all filled the kitchen with the food we brought to share, and Ben's mom stole the show with a watermelon shark, as that's the Pre-K2 class the kids will move to sometime in August.

 

 

The kids had been practicing for weeks to perform two songs for us: "Inch by Inch" and "Preschool." They looked and sounded absolutely adorable as they sat in perfect rows and performed their little hearts out for the paparazzi in front of them - I think every parent and even some siblings had phones and cameras out to capture the sweetness.

After the songs, Ms. Stephanie gave out "awards" to each child. She said the thing they always asked for and couldn't have in class is candy, so it was time to give them their wish! She was super creative and linked each child to a candy: Evan got lifesavers for "always coming to the rescue," because she noted how incredibly kind he always is to help another child when they fall, share when someone is sad, and remind the other children that it's important to make sure no one is left out. [Melt!! I'm so proud of that boy!]

Evan and his buddies Ahan ("being a smartie" - this 4yo is reading at a 1st grade level!) and Joel ("on a roll" - he loves to play and roll on the floor) were only too proud to show off their awards. Good thing we got pictures when we did, as the little bags were opened seconds later and the contents devoured.

It's been an amazing year for the kids in the Starfish and Dolphin classes! As Evan told me the other day, "I'll be sad to leave Ms. Stephanie, because I love her very much, but I'm excited for the Shark class. I'll see Ms. Stephanie on the playground every day and can always give her lots of hugs."