The Graduate

Today was Ryan's last day of preschool.

The kids all brought bikes, trikes or scooters to school and decorated them during class.  During the last half hour, they had a "bike rodeo" and paraded around the parking lot.  The weather has been rainy...and today was to be no different.  Literally minutes before they were to go out (and just as "plan B" was about to go into effect), the rain stopped and held the entire time they were outside.  After riding their bikes around, they all headed to the playground for one more romp as the Busy Bee's Class of 2010.

This evening...a potluck was held for the families and classmates.  The children sang praises to God, and then sang songs for the dads & grandpa's (for father's day).  The kids were then shuffled back into another room and it was announced that they were going to get into their caps and gowns for their graduation ceremony.  I knew they would have a graduation ceremony...I just didn't know it involved caps and gowns!  This just added a level of formality and finality that I wasn't quite prepared for, and my emotions (that I had thus far been successful at keeping in check) got the best of me.  Tears welled in my eyes, and one or two escaped to roll down my cheek.
The sight of each child entering the room when his or her name was called was priceless.  Each came out in a different way...different posture, different energy...each fitting of the child beneath the gown.  It was a very special event, one that I know I will always remember.
Thank you to Miss Vicki & Miss Wendy... and to Noah's Arc Preschool for the FABULOUS job!

To view more pics of Ryan's last week of preschool, head to the Hymas Photos section of the website.

May

May has already flown by?  When did that happen??

In May our weather was...well...interesting!  We had a week of sunshine and "summer-like" weather (apparently just a teaser), followed by hard rain and a bit of hail.  When the first big rain/hail storm after that week of wonderful weather hit, Ryan instantly grabbed his rain boots and, looking at us with his big blue eyes, asked "Can I go out and PLEEEAAASEE play in the rain???  I have my boots!!"  Not being able to think of a good reason why not...and quickly coming to the conclusion that it actually was very good timing, Gage & I approved and he put on his rubber boots and headed out.  He ran and splashed around for a while, but when the hail started to pelt down more viciously, headed for the safety of the front porch where we all sat and watched icy pellets bounce off the street and cars.  Evan also went out for a very short time.  He was less than thrilled to have pelting ice hitting his head and opted instead to sit with us under the cover of the porch and laugh as he watched his silly brother.

Evan had his 2+ year "well-care" check in May, and is growing right on track.  He continues to be healthy and happy, with a good dose of willfulness and a splash of mischievousness.  It is so amazing how one little guy can be so cute and sweet, and such a joy...and yet so challenging!
As Evan gets older, it has been nice to see Evan and Ryan starting to develop a more playful relationship.  They both have the power to astonish me at times when they play so nicely together for a length of time.  Other times...it is abundantly clear they are brothers.  It is also abundantly clear that they love each other, and that always warms my heart.  If Ryan is in time-out (in a corner)...it is not uncommon to see Evan look from me to Ryan with a concerned brow, and then walk over and stand in the corner with him.  Evan really looks up to Ryan and tries to do everything Ryan does.  That relationship is incredibly special to witness and I absolutely LOVE those moments!  Ok, well...most of those moments.  There are those times where Ryan makes a bad choice and does something we'd prefer the kids not do that Evan copies as well...but thankfully those are not too common or too serious.

During this wet month of May, we attended the Dorothy Fox Elementary School event for the new incoming Kindergartners.  Ryan was super excited about this day, and for several days prior would talk about it and reaffirm that we were going and when (and who all was coming).  When we got there, we got to see the two Kindergarten classrooms, meet the teachers and principal, get a tour of the school, and take a ride on a school bus.  Gage and I can't believe how fast the time has flown, and that Ryan will be starting Kindergarten in the fall.  Ryan, feeling a bit overwhelmed, was reserved and hesitant when we approached the classrooms and teachers.  As we toured the school, he became increasingly more relaxed, and by the time we came back to the classrooms he even enjoyed participating in some of the activities they had set up.
SO, Ryan is officially registered for Kindergarten, has a "Dorothy Fox Elementary School" t-shirt (in the school colors of red & white), and Gage & I are now members of the PTA!!

Now its June, Ryan has only 3 days of preschool left and he will be officially considered a Kindergartner (he also turns 5 next week!!) .  The rain (and cold) is continuing with occasional breaks of sunny days, but looks like next weekend we *might* finally see the start of summer.  I'm ready to wear some sandals and t-shirts and put the sweaters away for the season!!