A Little Pomp & Circumstance

     Last Thursday, Isabella "graduated" from preschool. Yes, I know, it's just preschool. But, come on, its PRESCHOOL and its over. She is no longer a "preschooler" which also means in her world, that she is no longer a little girl. Time sure does go fast. Wasn't it just yesterday that she was born? Wasn't she JUST learning to crawl and say "Mama"? Things change so quickly, you hardly even have time to catch your breath between moments. In a few short months she will start Kindergarten. I KNOW that will be a day I will cry and I am okay with that. I have time to prepare! 

     So let's talk about Preschool. This year, Isabella attended preschool at Pine School in North Olmsted, Ohio. She was a peer model in the inclusive preschool program. It is such an awesome experience and I am so glad she got to be part of that type of program for the past two years. This year she grew by leaps and bounds in more ways than I could ever even imagine she would. She didn't get to start this school year until October ( a few months behind her classmates) since the class was full at the beginning of the school year. In September she got to attend a screening and VERY lucky for us, she was chosen to be in the program. From day one she was so excited about going back to school. She came home, after that first day, beaming with pride as she told us all about her day and about her brand new friends. She went to school each and every day this year with a HUGE smile on her face. Never once did she cry, ask to stay home OR cling to my leg and beg me to stay with her. BIG ACHIEVEMENT. This year she had lots to talk about every day. She learned her phone number, address and started to read!! So much excitement and so much for us to be proud of! It was fun for me to get to know some of the other Mom's from the class too. What a FUN year!!

     To celebrate the end of the school year they held a class picnic on the last day. The parent's got to attend, so of course I was there! The children had hot dogs, juice and snacks that each of the kids brought in. After the picnic the kids got a chance to run and play together. It was amazing getting to watch them hold hands, run and play. Smiles on EVERY face. They loved each other. Isabella did have a few extra special friends this year. Amina and Kareem were definitely her favorite buddies to play with and they ALWAYS seemed to be together. I love watching her make new friends and laugh about all the things they find so funny. 

Isabella & Kareem

Running and Playing!

Last day of school squeezes!

Singing about Kindergarten!

     Thursday was the official day of graduation. We arrived at school right before 9am and the kids were taken to their classroom to prepare for the festivities. The parents and guests were directed to the "multi-purpose" room where they were showing a dvd of pictures of all the children throughout the year. Set to emotionally charged music we laughed and smiled and "oohed and aahed" at those sweet little faces on the screen!

Very Proud Grandma and Grandpa!

      Grandma, Grandpa, Daddy and I all watched as we anxiously awaited seeing our little graduate. When the time came for the graduates to make their entrance, all eyes were on the door. They walked in, all dressed up, wearing real caps with tassels and white ribbons around their necks with gold printing proclaiming their preschool graduate status! I felt a few tears start to flood my eyes, but I fought them back and beamed with pride as Isabella walked in and waved to us. The Director of Pupil Services shared a few remarks with the group and then the four preschool classes took the stage to sing us a few songs. How cute they were and how excited. They were smiling and proud and so very happy to be showing off what they had learned.

      I loved every moment of it. After the singing was over each child was called one-by-one back on stage to receive their diploma from their teacher. They even had them move their tassel from one side to the other. Seriously OFFICIAL!!! Everyone in the audience clapped for each child. It was nice to see everyone in the audience so excited for ALL of the kids. They loved the attention and they deserved the applause! 

Our Sweet Little Graduate

Isabella and Mrs. Tucker

After the Pomp & Circumstance was over the children were all reunited with their families for lots of pictures and hugs. We had a chance to talk a little with the teachers and it was nice to hear such kind words about our kids. Isabella's main teacher, Mrs Tucker, said that Isabella was very sweet, kind and nurturing. She told me that Isabella always made sure every child was included during play time and would often leave the group to play with a child who had gone off to play alone. I was so proud to hear that not only was my daughter sweet and caring at home but that she had this innate sense of charity outside the home too! What a great example she is to us.One of the teacher's aides,Mrs Veverka, (who just so happened to Isabella's favorite person ever at school!) said that Isabella was her favorite this year and that Isabella was the sweetest child ever. Mrs. Brookover, the other classroom aide, told my parents that Isabella would one day be Student Council President because she cared about everyone in her class. How did I get so lucky??

Isabella and Mrs. Veverka

     We had a chance to have some cake and take some pictures before it was time to say goodbye to friends and teachers.

Isabella will get to see a bunch of her friends over the summer at playdates etc, but it won't be exactly the same. She was a little sad to say goodbye and leave school that day. Even though she's young, she got it a bit. She knew things were different after this graduation thing.

Isabella, Mahdi and Kareem

Isabella and Amina

 It was a moment I will long remember, walking out with my little girl after a very momentous (to her at least) occasion. As we walked out, I quietly thought about all the other big moments we will get to experience together. 

     Being a parent is the best. We get to watch our children go through all the same experiences and moments we went through ourselves, but with fresh eyes and a different perspective. Big moments and little. From the moments where there is Pomp & Circumstance and the moments there is just our own inner pride and celebration. I couldn't be luckier or more blessed.

The gorgeous graduate.