Preschool Graduate

It's so cliche to say, but it truly doesn't seem like that long ago he was heading off to preschool ... and now we are watching him graduate and move onto the next step:  Kindergarten!

Luke heading off to his very last day of preschool (well, except that he is going this summer ... sort of makes it anti-climactic)

 Graduation for his class was held in the afternoon, so Mia skipped her nap (not ideal, but necessary), and joined Michael, myself, and my parents for the big event.

With Day's babydoll, Kristy.  Waiting for the ceremony to begin

SO unimpressed so far!

 Leading up to the graduation, Luke has been serenading us in the car for weeks.  He doesn't just sing one song, but the entire repetoire.  So, I asked him if he was planning to sing for this last, final time on the Mandala stage.  He told me that he was "thinking about it."  Then, just the night before he announces to my mom and I that it is "totally weird to stand in front of everyone, while they are looking at me and sing."  I guess he has a point...

All that to say that, yet again, he didn't sing.  In fact, he didn't even LOOK at us!

The good news in all of this is that I was spared from bawling my eyes out.  The final song, "Goodbye, So Long, Farewell" killed me everytime I heard him sing it, so I was dreading the actual performance.  However, we were so busy giggling about Luke that I didn't even cry!

Everyone else looks to be having a pretty good time

Miss Sharada tried to persuade him about halfway through, but to no avail

 After the performance, they placed graduation caps on those kids who are moving on to Kindergarten, and they walked across the bridge.

And received their certificate (diploma?) from their small group teacher.

Mia watching her big brother

 After all of the hoopla was over, it was quite evident how excited and proud Luke was of himself - he just is SO not into being the center of attention or having all eyes on him!

Yep, back to normal, making silly smiles for the camera!

High-fives to Day

Excited about his balloon

With his BFF, Christopher.  These two little guys are SUCH great friends.  I loved watching them when I came in to volunteer in Luke's room.  They really just enjoy one another's company - doing all of their "jobs" together, chatting away about anything and everything.  They will certainly miss one another next year.

The Graduate

Luke and Vidyut

Giving gifts to all of his small group teachers from throughout his years at Mandala.  Here is Luke with Miss Tabatha, who was his small group teacher for the 2nd half of last year.

Miss Nasreen, whose group Luke was in for the 1st half of last year



 Just when I thought I had escaped the tears for the day, Luke presented his small group teacher from this year, Miss Sharada, with her gift.  We have seen an enormous amount of growth and maturity in Luke throughout the course of this year.  He has really grown into a Kindergartener, and much of this is thanks to the support, encouragement, and teachings of Miss Sharada.  She was SUCH an incredible gift to Luke this year, and we are so incredibly grateful to her.  So, when she started to cry as she was congratulating Luke, I realized how mutual the feelings were.  She has loved and taken care of our little boy this year.  I know that they will miss each other so much.

Presenting Miss Sharada with a gift



I love this picture because you can just tell how much Luke loves her.

Luke and Miss Sharada

 The wonderful news for all of us is that Miss Sharada, although she won't be in Luke's classroom this summer, will be Mia's small group teacher as she begins early preschool in a few weeks.

Luke, Mia, and baby Kristy

 A few family photos after the ceremony

Then out for ice cream sundaes (Luke's choice of post-graduation celebration!)

Congratulations, sweet boy!  We couldn't be more proud of you and the person you are becoming.  You are SO ready for Kindergarten (something we were not so sure of at the start of this school year).  You finished preschool with flying colors!  You are incredibly smart, sensitive, kind, curious, articulate, and social - the world is at your fingertips.  We love you!