Kindergarten Graduation

Today was John's Kindergarten Graduation.  I can't believe that my little boy has graduated Kindergarten.  It seems like it was just yesterday when we were bringing him home from the hospital. 

Our day started early.  John woke up and found me in the bathroom.  He told me "I need to get handsome."  And he proceeded to comb his hair (he has a crew cut).  Then he brushed his teeth.  He informed me "I'm going to make them shine!"  He knew today was a big day and made sure he was ready and looking good. 

At breakfast, he informed Gillian "After graduation, you can stay at school or you can come home with me.  I'm going with Daddy.  I'm not staying."  It was at that point when Daddy and I decided we should just let the kids come home after the ceremony.  I dropped them off at school and told them I would be back in time for the ceremony.

Daddy and I got to school and we pulled Gillian from her class and brought her into the earth room.  Grandma, Grandpa, Mimi and Poppy all arrived at the same time.  We only waited for a few minutes before the procession started.  John proudly lead his classmates into the earth room.  Miss Mary Ellen said a few words and then it was time for the pledge of allegiance.  John got to hold the flag.  He had the biggest smile for the entire pledge. 

Next it was time for songs.  The first song was "It's a small world."  Next was "I'd like to teach the world to sing."  Below is a video of the kids singing.

Next the kids sang, "Somewhere over the rainbow." I didn't get video of it, but I'm sure you can imagine how wonderfully they all sang.  Then they presented the diplomas.  John was first to receive his diploma. After all the kids received their diplomas, they read "Thank You for Me" a sweet little book.  John read the first set of pages.  Below is a video of them reading.  Notice when the third kid reads John taps Jillian on the hand to signal that she needs to flip over her paper.  The kids did an excellent job reading. 

After the reading, the kids did a few dances.  The first dance was to"Down the Avenue."  In this dance, the kids listened to the music and walked or skipped or jumped.  Then they danced to "Brazilian Carnival."  John told me last week that they were going to samba at graduation.  But I really didn't believe him.  I was wrong.  Well, I take that back, I was right.  John was the only one that actually did the samba.  Check out the video below.  Notice how John shakes his hips.

In closing, they sang "So Long, Farewell."  What a beautiful ceremony.  I'm so proud of my little boy.