Grad Class 2014

i think i used to be one of those people who skoffed at things like preschool and kindergarten graduations (like really, what have kids accomplished at 4 and 5 years of age???).  but now i'm a mom of a kindergarten graduate, and there is a lot to celebrate!  like being brave and trying new things, making connections with kids (gabe had his first marriage proposal a few weeks ago...he turned her down), learning actions & consequences, having compassion for other kids, getting to sit in the bean-bag chair on your special helper day, and just overall, HAVE FUN at school!

because of the rocky end to the school year, everything just felt incomplete.  for me and for gabe.  a week before the full strike the kids had just brought home their graduation invitations for us and were planning activities for the celebration. i had just borrowed 18 books from the library for the kids to read in class since their library field trip had been cancelled. and then all of a sudden there was only 2 days of school left and everything was over. gabe reminds me daily that he misses his friends.  he missed them on the saturday after school ended...i was like, you just saw them yesterday!

it wasn't just us having this empty feeling...it was felt by most of the class.  so, since then, we have had several class playdates at the park as well as a couple birthday parties. a couple moms even planned kindergarten graduation for the class.  we had a potluck/pizza party in one of the family's common rooms, and the ENTIRE class attended, including the teacher (whose son happens to be in the class). the teacher started it like a normal school day, starting with attendance, and then talked to the kids about their successes in kindergarten and that they were all ready to move onto grade 1.  after that, they lined up to receive their graduation certificates and shook the teacher's hand. it was ADORABLE! i was definitely a proud mama, taking video and pictures simultaneously, and not wanting to miss a single second of anything.

fortunately the rain held off and the kids were able to run around outside and have fun, one last time as division 12.  in late spring, they lost a couple of classmates who moved onto other cities with their families, and we already know a couple more who won't be returning in the fall.  i think it's hard on us parents knowing that our kids won't necessarily be in the same class in september...not only do our kids get along great, but we've made our own adult connections and have our chit-chats in the parking lot or at the playground after school.  i think the fact that we organized our own grad is a testament to that connection, as the other kindergarten class didn't have a celebration planned :(

i also realize that next year will be very different for me as well.  i'll be back at work and won't have the flexibility i have now.  fortunately my hours will still allow me to be home mid-afternoon, and be available for after-school playdates/activities.  but i'll definitely miss the summer freedom i'm currently enjoying :(