FRIDAY FREE-FOR-ALL
I'll be honest. I have no idea what I'm blogging about today. I'm simply happy that school is out and summer vacation has officially begun today.
Taking a quick look out the window, it would be difficult to call it summer. The sky is overcast, leftover from early morning storms, and the temperature, which reached into the low 90s yesterday, is just under 70. I have no doubt that will quickly change by tomorrow. But we need the rain here, and there's no reason not to welcome a cool day. After all, we already passed 100 earlier this month.
Mallory, the youngest of my four, and I spent much of yesterday attending graduation ceremonies. (Two of my grands, her nieces.) The first was youngest granddaughter Payton's Pre-K. The class presented parents and friends with songs they'd learned over this school year. I especially liked the "Five Little Monkees Jumping On the Bed" song. It reminded me of my own girls' days in Brownie and Girl Scouts.
The little guy on the left in the light blue shirt was a showman and such a cutie. When one of the songs was over, he turned to his mom (blonde, in white shirt) and said, "Take a picture of me, Mom." He was obviously proud, as well he should be. They all should. After all, they came away from the year with nifty songs, knowing their alphabet and able to count, and especially how to get along in a classroom of their peers. A step in the right direction!
All the kids seemed to understand how special the day was for them and their families. Smiles abounded, giggles and squeals filled the room. These kids were excited!
A little over an hour later, we were back at the school for Payton's older sister's graduation from 5th grade. While the Pre-Kers had been in a party mood, the older group understood what this day meant for them. Grade school would be a memory, when the doors to middle school open in the fall. Many of them had spent the past six years together, growing and learning. A video presentation at the end of the ceremony of random shots of the students in classrooms and on the playground was followed by a beautiful rendition of Katie Perry's Roar filling the auditorium. These kids understood that they're were stepping out of one stage of life into the next.
The last group of four to receive their diplomas stood patiently in line. That's Allie, waiting her turn to get her Certificate of Promotion.
It's hard to believe that it wasn't all that long ago that Allie was finishing Pre-K and then Kindergarten. She's growing up into a fine young woman, and I hope she weathers middle school well. From my own memories, it's the worst of all the stepping stones of education.
The graduates listened to a memorable speech by the Operations Division Director of the City schools, and he presented each one of them with a special gift: A small, flat black stone, like the one he had carried throughout his own school years and still kept as a reminder of how far he'd come and the wonderful gifts in his life--his family.
And of course these are the years of giggling girls and selfies. How lucky we are that technology has given us instant photos to keep that will remain as memories in our hearts for years. Let's hope these girls all remember the good times they had in grade school as they walk, sail, and fly through their lives.
Then it was over. Another year, another two graduations. Last year it was oldest granddaughter Scarlett (our ice-skater) from 5th grade, and youngest grandson Jaxon's graduation from Kindergarten. Next year will be another two. Gavin from 5th and Payton from Kindergarten. It's like stepping stones. Before we know it, we'll have three 8th grade graduations in a row, and then will come high school.
The years go quickly. Too quickly, most of us would say. Each year brings new memories for us to treasure. How lucky is that?
I'll be honest. I have no idea what I'm blogging about today. I'm simply happy that school is out and summer vacation has officially begun today.
Taking a quick look out the window, it would be difficult to call it summer. The sky is overcast, leftover from early morning storms, and the temperature, which reached into the low 90s yesterday, is just under 70. I have no doubt that will quickly change by tomorrow. But we need the rain here, and there's no reason not to welcome a cool day. After all, we already passed 100 earlier this month.
Mallory, the youngest of my four, and I spent much of yesterday attending graduation ceremonies. (Two of my grands, her nieces.) The first was youngest granddaughter Payton's Pre-K. The class presented parents and friends with songs they'd learned over this school year. I especially liked the "Five Little Monkees Jumping On the Bed" song. It reminded me of my own girls' days in Brownie and Girl Scouts.
The little guy on the left in the light blue shirt was a showman and such a cutie. When one of the songs was over, he turned to his mom (blonde, in white shirt) and said, "Take a picture of me, Mom." He was obviously proud, as well he should be. They all should. After all, they came away from the year with nifty songs, knowing their alphabet and able to count, and especially how to get along in a classroom of their peers. A step in the right direction!
All the kids seemed to understand how special the day was for them and their families. Smiles abounded, giggles and squeals filled the room. These kids were excited!
A little over an hour later, we were back at the school for Payton's older sister's graduation from 5th grade. While the Pre-Kers had been in a party mood, the older group understood what this day meant for them. Grade school would be a memory, when the doors to middle school open in the fall. Many of them had spent the past six years together, growing and learning. A video presentation at the end of the ceremony of random shots of the students in classrooms and on the playground was followed by a beautiful rendition of Katie Perry's Roar filling the auditorium. These kids understood that they're were stepping out of one stage of life into the next.
The last group of four to receive their diplomas stood patiently in line. That's Allie, waiting her turn to get her Certificate of Promotion.
The graduates listened to a memorable speech by the Operations Division Director of the City schools, and he presented each one of them with a special gift: A small, flat black stone, like the one he had carried throughout his own school years and still kept as a reminder of how far he'd come and the wonderful gifts in his life--his family.
And of course these are the years of giggling girls and selfies. How lucky we are that technology has given us instant photos to keep that will remain as memories in our hearts for years. Let's hope these girls all remember the good times they had in grade school as they walk, sail, and fly through their lives.
Then it was over. Another year, another two graduations. Last year it was oldest granddaughter Scarlett (our ice-skater) from 5th grade, and youngest grandson Jaxon's graduation from Kindergarten. Next year will be another two. Gavin from 5th and Payton from Kindergarten. It's like stepping stones. Before we know it, we'll have three 8th grade graduations in a row, and then will come high school.
The years go quickly. Too quickly, most of us would say. Each year brings new memories for us to treasure. How lucky is that?
HAPPY SUMMER!
Life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quickly you hardly catch it going. ~ Tennessee Williams
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