Pre-K Graduation

I've never been one to make a big deal about graduations, and if you asked me most days, I'd probably tell you I think a pre-k graduation ceremony sounds a bit excessive and unnecessary. (Where's my sense of occasion, I know!) I won't say the word "excessive" didn't cross my mind on Ben's graduation day, but the word applied more to the sheer amount of work and attention Benjamin's teachers put into making a really special ceremony for the kids. And the excess was a good thing. The confidence on Benjamin's face and poise in his body as he stood waiting for his "diploma" made him look so proud and grown up. 

These teachers. They had something kind to say about each child during the ceremony. They showed a video montage of interviews with the students. They framed graduation pictures of each child. Ben came home with folders and story books full of projects he had been working on all year. That's not to mention the big bag of crafts he came home with every month. And it was only three days a week! And they went on field trips every week! I'm thankful for their energy and commitment to each student in the class. 

Eliza sure loved her teacher Mrs. Jessica this year.

Eliza with daddy waiting for Ben to walk down the aisle.

Last day of school! 

Blowing bubbles in the tree house: summer has begun. 

"This is the story of a wish come true."

"North Star, star of the sea, I wish for a ship named after me, to sail for a day alone and free, with someone nice for company." 

"When she woke up, she was in the cabin of her own ship. It was named The Maggie B. after her, and the nice company was her brother, James, who was a dear baby." 

"On the poop deck was a tiny farm. There were a goat and some chickens, an apple tree and a peach tree and an orange tree with a toucan perched on a branch. They picked an orange for breakfast." 

The Maggie B. is a lovely story--almost a party plan in itself. Margaret and James have a picnic lunch and start a beautiful sea stew for supper before nap time. 

"James had his nap on a velvet pillow and Margaret painted a handsome portrait of him." 

I love the serious look Eliza gets when she is painting.
Just like her grammy. 

                            

Eliza outlasted everyone at the painting activity. She
was in the zone--very focused.

After juice and cookie time, the sun disappears and Margaret has to prepare her own little ship to weather a storm--just enough adventure to remind them how wonderful their little world really is. When everything is safe and secure, they go back inside and mix up a batch of muffins and warm goats milk to have with their stew.

Eliza does love this book (especially the part about the storm coming), but I wouldn't be totally honest if I said this was all just for her. A day on the Maggie B sounds like a perfect day to me at this stage in my life--good company, good food, creativity, control of my space and just enough storm to keep things in perspective. 

Eliza playing with Rosa at the end of the party. 

Eliza at almost three. What a confident, imaginative, and loving little person. 

Me and my girl a few weeks ago. Her idea to sit this way eating our ice cream. 

Is this really just pretend?

an assortment of mud soups after the rain 

The children are playing with hollow toy drum this afternoon, filling it with toys and banging on it.

Liza: Let's mix it up!

B: Yeah, let's pretend that life is mixed up.

Me (overhearing): Ben, what do you mean by life?

B: Life, you know, the life we are living. Life is mixed up. Pretend life is real and real life is pretend.

Hmm. The children parade around the house banging their drums and shaking their maracas.

best friends 

The best game: I get to be baby ryan swinging in the hammock

Pop! It's Spring.