Ralph: PreK Graduation!

Last Wednesday on May 22, Ralph graduated from PreK/Preschool at Fingerprints Child Development Center.  The ceremony started with a video of the kids letting us know what they want to be when they grow up.  Ralph wants to be a football player because "I went to a Husker game and it was fun."  There were some super-heros, doctors, a veterinanarian, race car drivers, a wrestler, and a police office in the mix.

Next the class came on stage to sing three songs complete with signs and actions.  They did great and looked like they had fun.  I did get a bit weepy thinking back to some of the earlier programs and how much they have grown.  Five years does go by in an instant.

After the songs the kids went back to their room to get ready for diploma time while we watched a highlight video of the alpha-friends.  One of Ralph's favorite lettes was G  . . .Gertie Goose, Gertie Goose Gardens the Garden Gate so Goat can't come and Gobble up the Goodies in her crate.  Seems like that was one of the first ones he continually repeated for the past year and half.  Of course he liked Jilly Jumprope as well since his teacher was Ms. Jill.

Following the highlight video, one by one the kids came onto stage to have their tassled moved, get their diploma, and some hugs for their hardwork.

A cookie reception followed the ceremony.

We took home a few notebooks - one of which has been following Ralph around as he moved rooms collecting notes from some teachers as well as some of his art projects.  It was fun to read the notes and remember the good ol' times.  I got a little weepy reading some of the notes.

The staff at Fingerprints put a lot of work into the graduation and did a great job with the ceremony!  There really is no denying they had a big part in raising him.  He had his favorite teachers along the way, and there are a few that proclaim him one of their favorites but I know they all cared for him as a person and the boy he has become.  There were a few bumps along the way but I could not have asked for a better place to care for him as he grew from an infant to a protesting-walker to a brief-wearing-toddler and on to a boy ready to take on Kindergarten!

Henry: 1st Trip to the Dentist!

Henry has his first dentist appointment yesterday and all went well!  I met Mike & the boys at the dentist's office, arriving a little past the time of the appointment thinking it would be similar to Ralph's first appointment where Ralph watched Mike get his teeth cleaned and helped the hygienist use some of the tools then after Mike was done Ralph had his appointment.  Henry's first appointment was not quite the same.  I arrived and started filling out the paperwork then Mike pops his head out and tells me Henry is already back in the chair and helped me find him.  He already had the xrays done and  teeth cleaned.  Dr. Lacey came in after I arrived.  We found out Henry is missing one of his upper lateral teeth (right, I think).  Missing, as in it does not exist.  Dr. Lacey says this is hereditary which Henry can thank me for though I'm just missing an adult tooth, I did have the baby tooth.  Some of Henry's 2nd year molars are still breaking through.

I'm not sure why but Henry seems like he has grown into a "big boy" the last few days.  I think it has something to do with wearing shorts and giving the perception of longer legs, not sure.

Kindergarten Roundup!

Earlier today, Ralph visited Kahoa Elementary School where he will be a Kindergartner in August!

As we waited for a session to begin, there was a questionnaire to complete asking various developmental questions - does your child . . .know his full name? can write his full name?  knows his address?  knows his phone number?  uses crayons? uses scissors? can count how high?   . . and many others.

Parents and kids started out in the multi-purpose room then the kids were dismissed by their nametags. Ralph had a star nametag which was the first group to be dismissed.  As the kids with the star nametag went to the back of the room the principal explained their teacher would be Mrs. Peterson and they were going to their Kindergarten room.  There are three other kids from his PreK room that will be in his room - Owen, Zhane, and Kyden.  Two other kids from Fingerprints - Luke & Breck will be in a room together.

Ralph said they colored a picture and he and Owen played with legos in their new room.  Sounds like they had more fun than the parents!  We were reminded to reduce screen time and increase reading time.  Only once did I almost get emotional.  The principal reminded us on the first day to make as clean AND quick of break as possible.  Just the thought of Ralph being a Kindergartner brings this emotion that's almost overwhelming.  In daycare, one of the few times I cried after leaving him was when he moved from the Infant I to the Infant 2 room.  Ready or not, these milestones occur and there's no stopping them.  He is more than ready for Kindergarten but I'm sure it'll still be an emotional day! 

When the kids rejoined the parents in the multi-purpose room Ralph asked if he could come back tomorrow.  I hope his excitement holds until August!

Update on July 23:  We received a letter from Kahoa letting us know they moved some of the students around.  Ralph was moved to Ms. Woodward's room.  (Zhane was also moved to a different room.)  Ralph was bummed but this will be a good chance to meet new friends also.