Pre-K Graduation.

Last week was David's pre-k graduation ceremony. You'd think at this point I would have gotten used to seeing him perform, especially since he's been doing it since he was 3 years old, but I don't think I could ever get used to seeing him on "stage" singing with his friends. It's one of those priceless moments which is always so emotional to me. (Just how do the teachers get the entire school of kids - ok, 35 kids in the whole school - aged between 3 and 5, to stand still for an entire performance?)

David gets excited at the start of the first rehearsal and works hard to memorizes all his songs in a week. He had sung two of the songs to me days before the show, but said that the other songs were a secret. The theme of their performance was "I'm an American". Julia seemed as excited, if not more, than David to attend the ceremony. She even picked out a dress first thing in the morning. However, she broke down crying in the middle of the ceremony, and not because her big brother was graduating, but because one of the graduating girls received flowers from her older brother when she was getting her diploma, and Julia wanted flowers as well.

David is headed to receive his diploma.

And this is how much he cherishes his diploma.

Once the ceremony was over, the kids were able to stretch their feet and get nutty.

Initially, I intended to give him a little present (not much, just a new bicycle helmet that he really needed and a pencil case filled with chocolates that I brought back from Geneva and never gave it to him), but then I reconsidered; if I set this precedent now when he's not even in a real school, what will I need to give him by the time he graduates from high school? My 401k?

Instead, we celebrated David's graduation and his wonderful little performance by treating the kids to ice cream at our ice cream shop in town.

So... kindergarten, here we come! I have a feeling that the principal will have my cell number on her speed dial!

Graduation.

Today was David's last day of school. Last night, the kids received their certificates and had a little performance for the parents. Julia thought she was going to perform as well since she was singing along with her brother for weeks. So, of course, she insisted on being dressed up for the occasion.

Once, he saw an entire audience and especially me and Seth, he got very shy and tried to avoid an eye contact with us (he is second from the left). I was praying he wouldn't freak out and run out of "stage". He did really, really well staying still and waiting his turn while the rest of 35 kids announced their names.

They sang 5 songs, thanked their parents and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

At the end, everyone received their certificates and this morning I found David's certificate taped to the wall of our hall.

He's home for a week. Wish us luck!

The Graduate

A lot of people tell me the first time they felt as a parent was when their child started either a kindergarten or a first grade. For me, it was when David started his school last year. There were a lot of firsts this past year ; David's first school day when he didn't even realize I was gone, his first holiday performance, his first teacher, Ms. Qiana, my first PT conference and a lot of new illnesses that David endured.

Today was another first for all of us. Our little boy had his first graduation day. Yes, he graduated his Primary class. He and his classmates performed for over 100 people. Seth and I had expected David to panic and throw a tantrum in front of all these strangers. But instead, we witnessed something that shocked us. David not only remained in his spot looking a little bit surprised seeing so many people, but he was the only one among dozen or so kids who was actually performing. While his teacher, Ms. Qiana was singing and dancing, he imitated her every movement. I can't even express how I felt when I heard people around me pointing at David and saying how adorable he was. Later his teacher said he did a superb job! Needless to say, I shed a few tears today.

If I sound like a very proud parent that's because I am. We were so proud of David today. If I had doubted my decision of placing him so early in the school, then all my doubts vanished after watching my son tonight.