Meet The Graduate/Tae Kwon Do Orange Belt/Carnival Kid

Wow.  What a week.  I am glad none of you can see me because tears are streaming down my face as I write this blog post, as they have been pretty much all week.  Luckily allergy season is in full effect around here so I have something else to blame my puffy eyes on!  :)

My baby is done with preschool.  How can that be?  Three short, fleeting years ago he started out in Miss Molly and Miss Joni's class and now he is graduating with the Stepping Stones class of 2010 and moving on to kindergarten this fall. (he got PM kindergarten by the way, which irks me but I won't go into that here...)  Here he is on  his very first day at Bright Beginnings, September 2007... and then today, on his last day...

First Day at Bright Beginnings- age 2

Last Day of Preschool!- age 5

Let out a CHEEEEEEER!

Max and 14 of his best friends celebrated their final preschool days with a graduation ceremony early Wednesday morning.  Caps, check!  Gowns, check!  Proud smiles, check!  It was so cute!  Each child made a poster of themselves, covered in pictures from birth till age 5, and all were on display for graduation.  As parents, grandparents, neighbors, friends and loved ones took their seats, the kids marched in behind Miss Debbie and Miss Valerie (whom I will miss greatly!) and sat on the stage.  They all accepted their diplomas from Miss Debbie and were then handed a very generous gift from Miss Valerie- a kids Bible, a wonderful (tear-provoking!) scrapbook from their year together, and a CD full of pictures from the last several months of all the kids in the class.  It was the cutest thing!  Lots of proud parents!  (and as you see... LOTS of pictures taken!)

Miss Valerie and  Miss Debbie with Max

Kaylee and Max

Cade and Max

Mamaw and Papaw

After school on Wednesday Max had a belt testing ceremony at Tae Kwon Do.  He was moving up from yellow to orange and this was his opportunity to show off his acquired skills.  So proud!  He loves Tae Kwon Do so I'm hoping to continue it for him next fall!  I love that they learn about respect, street safety, car safety, etc.  What a great class for young kids!

Orange Belt!

The whole class

Cade and Max

Today was the LAST day of school but instead of staying in the classroom, the kids got to enjoy Carnival Day; there were games, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, a bounce house and popsicles all around!  It was what Max was most looking forward to all week!  I had a hard time today. (does anyone wanna read more about my tears?  ha) I tried hard to pay extra attention to our drive into school this morning, knowing it was the last time.  I took a lot of deep breaths as I entered the school with Max; my attempt at "taking it all in".  I talked with his teacher from last year, Miss Heather, and tried really hard to keep the tears back.  Why am I such a boob?  Regardless, Max and his friends had a great time and it was a great kickoff to summer!  I can't believe in a few months I'll be sending my baby to kindergarten on the big yellow bus!!  I better get some 'mellowing meds' ready or something... can you imagine what a wreck I will be for him?  Poor Max! If anyone ever wondered where he got it, now you know!  :)

Max and Kaylee

Zach, Trey and Max

Drew and Max

Tattoo

Hugs from Janelle