Pomp and Circumstance

Vanessa recently "graduated" from preschool. Is that considered a major accomplishment? In her mind it was.

At her preschool they do a full cap-and-gown-pomp-and-circumstance graduation. My three boys did big kindergarten graduations in Texas. Savanah is our only child who did not participate in this wonderful experience. I told her when she gets her doctorate degree in Veterinary Science (her current career choice) I will take a picture and we'll celebrate. Preschool/kindergarten graduations and even high school graduations, are just expected in our family. The real celebrating comes with college and post graduate degrees. In the meantime, this graduation was really cute!

Vanessa was so excited! She practiced her alphabet in sign language for weeks. They sang Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA. She was ecstactic when I showed her she could put that song on her playlist. She did well with her speaking part. She said, "When I see the American flag, I put my hand over my heart because I love this country." Aaron tried to get her to say, "...because I love Texas." She chose to follow teacher's instructions.

Each child also said what they wanted to be when they grow up. Several boys said Spiderman, one little girl said a mermaid, and another said she wanted to be a cat when she grows up. Vanessa was going to say she wanted to be a nurse (I was such a proud mamma.). In the end, she said she wanted to be a dancer. What? It's a good thing there are post graduate degrees in dance available.

She was happy to stand next to her best friend, Madi. These two are virtually inseparable.

I think they get along so well because Madi does everything Vanessa tells her to do. Madi doesn't seem to mind at all. Poor girl. Here is a photo of them that was shown during the slideshow presentation at graduation.

In fact, Vanessa has become an adopted grandchild to one set of Madi's grandparents. When Madi's grandpa wasn't going to be able to attend graduation ceremony, they had a party at her house. Grandpa brought flowers for each of the graduates (tulips from his garden), a diploma, and a gift.

The girls sang their songs.

and opened their gifts. Is is any wonder why Vanessa had a loose tooth at the time?

Maybe it's not the accomplishment of a lifetime but, it was fun to see and participate in all the pomp and circumstance involved in preschool graduation.