Aidan's Kindergarten Graduation

My dear, sweet, sincere, creative, protective, amazing, son. I know how we got here. Your mother and I have been with you every step of the way, through every success, every set back, every tear, every bump, scrape, and bruise, every challenging work completed, every lesson learned, every friend made, every peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It's just how quickly it all seemed to go in hindsight that alarms me! How has the time flown so quickly...it seems like yesterday that we packed your first lunch and you went to your first day of "school":

2012- Headed to "Kidding Around" MDO

2013- Following your Final "performance" at Kidding Around MDO

2014- First year at White Rock Montessory

First day of Kindergarten 1 at White Rock Montessori: 2015

First Day of Kindergarten 2 at White Rock Montessori: 2016

And now you are a big Kindergarten Graduate who has learned and grown so much.

Kindergarten Graduation Picture: May 2017 

Your sister, mother, and I were there for the big day along with Mimi, Pops, Aunt Sham, and Uncle Joe. Yaya and Baba were there in spirit. And we were all cheering you on!

Your graduation ceremony and graduation day was such a special, sweet, silly, cute, inspirational, successful, and lovely moment in time. It began with many big hugs:

It continued with a procession and a ceremony:

Your teachers, as part of the graduation ceremony, read a book about the uniqueness of being YOU. They gave each of you and your classmates a copy, and gave three words to describe your uniqueness and the amazingness of each of you soon-to-be first graders. 

They described you as "Observant," Loyal," and "Loving." And their words brought tears to my eyes. 

So did the love you displayed for your friends and your sister and teachers and family. So did the songs you sang. One about growing up, and one about being the "awesome you."

I put a little video together to hopefully capture the specialness of this day, and the awesomeness of YOU and your experience in Pre-school at White Rock Montessori!

The ceremony was followed by a reception with Cupcakes, Punch, smiles, frog-finding, hugs for family and teachers, photo ops, and a lot of fun. Neither you nor your sister wanted to leave!

Your reading teacher, Ms. Newman

Ms. Mary

Mr. Lewicki and Ms. Mary

Music Teacher, Ms. Wheeler

As all of you graduating kindergartners sang, "we are here to learn, we are here to grow, at our White Rock Montessori" (I'm paraphrasing). And it is true. Here, with your amazing teachers, you have learned. You have grown. And you are moving onward and upward to Lower Elementary. 

Here's to the next adventure, Aidan. Our observant, loyal, and loving boy. We are so very proud of you, and all you've become, and all you will do. This is just the beginning! Go, Aidan!

Field day 2016

It was Field Day at White Rock Montessori! And Aidan, you. had. a. blast!

Your Mommy volunteered, and Mr. Lewicki took these photos.

Next year, I'm definitely volunteering!

You'll see the boy in the blue Texas shirt is your "big brother," Sammy- who is a very nice kid! The other boy your age is Christian, from PS1. The three of you were buddies for Buddy Field day!

There was a ball toss:

A water balloon toss:

SPLAT!

 SNACKS!

A Killer Bubble station:

 Musical Chairs:

A Three-legged race (which you reported was one of your favorite events of the day: "I WAS TIED TO HIS LEG!!!!!!!")

 And your favorite station - the one where you were very surprised to see Mommy- was the "cups in bowls!"

When I got home from work yesterday the first thing you told me was "We had a FIELD DAY TODAY!"

So many smiles; so much fun!

It sounds and looks like it was an amazing day at school!