Yesterday, my oldest child graduated from Playschool.
Graham spent eight wonderful months with a group of amazing teachers (including the legendary Mrs. B) and he is now done.
Playschool has been the highlight of Graham’s week (and of my week, some days). On the days that he didn’t have Playschool, he would always be asking when he would be going again. It was only two mornings a week, but he would have gone all day, every day if he could have.
Because of this zest for all things Playschool (and the use of his Spiderman backpack), I fully expected tears and sadness over the fact that it was all over. His response?
“Playschool is over. Now I get to go to Kindergarten. I can’t wait to go to Kindergarten!! When is September?”
Some days September couldn’t get here fast enough…but yesterday and today I am being all nostalgic. I don’t want September to come quite so quickly.
It seems like just last month that Graham came into the world and so completely and utterly rocked my world. The love a mom has for her baby? Unparalleled. All-encompassing. And beyond overwhelming.
It seems like just last week that he was Emily’s age. Grabbing everything and clapping and making scrunchy smiley faces at me.
It seems like just yesterday that he was Nathan’s age. Vocabulary exploding and becoming more of a pre-schooler and no longer a toddler.
And today? My baby is a mere three months away from starting school.
He’s not a baby anymore.
He’s not a toddler anymore.
And I guess he’s not technically a preschooler for much longer.
He’s a big boy now.
That makes me both happy and sad, all at once.
This parenting thing sure puts your heart on a crazy pendulum. One minute you’re celebrating their accomplishments and looking forward to what they will become…and the next minute you would give anything to go back in time and kiss their silky soft newborn head just one more time.
Congratulations, Graham. Mommy so very much loves you.
What a handsome young man you have there. I hope that his school experiences are all as rewarding as these eight months have been for him. Congratulations, buddy!
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Congrats to you and your not so little boy!!!
Wow, school. That would be mind blowing.
Cutie, too!
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Angella – In September, we are getting ready for my son to enter his first year of University at UBCO – and my feelings aren’t too much different than how you feel about Graham and kindergarten. That overwhelming love you talked about changes a little, but it NEVER goes away! Such a nice post, thanks!
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I was JUST looking at Makenna earlier this morning, and thinking many of the same things you wrote. We have summer camp orientation today, which will lead into preschool this August. This three foot tall child can’t be the same little burrito we brought home three years ago? I have a really hard time not calling her a toddler.
No joke, our hearts ARE on a crazy pendulum.
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Congratulations Graham!!!!
I miss the days Riley was in Preschool..he could have gone every day..they have wounderfull teachers there. Riley was mad going into kindergarten becuase Mrs. B wasnt going to be his teacher anymore. Although..lucky for him Mrs. B still went into his kindergarten class to help out. I cant believe school is almost out and that next year my little man will be in grade 1…school everyday…wow..time sure goes by fast huh?
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Beautiful post, Angella. And by the way, that crazy pendulum never stops swinging!
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Congratulations, Graham! You’re going to rock the heck out of Kindergarten!
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Way to go, G-force! I can’t believe how fast the time is flying!
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Go Graham! Its scary how quickly they grow up though, isn’t it?
I wish I had a rewind button and could go and revisit the different stages.
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That was a hard day. I shed a few tears. So did Jillian. She loves Mrs. B and Mrs. E so much.
In the last picture of Graham, he looks so old. I remember him in puddle jumpers. They grow up so fast.
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I remember Vayda’s last day of Playschool. Such a great program for them. Now Vayda is finishing Grade 1. Yikes, time flies.
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Just yesterday I was wishing Isabella was old enough for pre-school so I could give her to someone else for a little while. That pendulum sure makes it hard to cherish every moment before they happen. It’s a good thing we have cameras and memories! Congrats Graham on your graduation. Hope kindergarten is everything you want it to be and more!!
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You are such a great writer! That post was really sweet! Kids really do grow up so fast…It’s too bad that as a kid you want to grow up so quickly, cause really, being a kid is the best! Yay Graham!
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It hurts your heart a little to see them grow up, but kindergarden ROCKS!
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He sure is a big boy now!! We have just been through all this with Ethan leaving Kindergarten & Preschool and starting School (our equivalents, I guess … or close enough!!!) so I do know how you feel! It is so bittersweet.
Way to go Graham – love those photos, he looks so chuffed!
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Time goes fast doesn’t it?! Congratulations Graham, you’re gonna love kindergarten
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Oh my goodness…school in 3 months??!! It does go by too fast…you’re makin’ me all sentimental here too!
Oh, and by the way, I wouldn’t mind at all if God were to call us to the Okanagan…I’ll let you know if he ever does =)
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