Celebrating Mediocrity: Kindergarten Graduation

Pre-graduation thoughts: I can't help but think of the film The Incredibles any time I hear the words

"kindergarten graduation." A few lines:

Helen Parr tells her husband Bob that he cannot miss their son Dashiell "Dash" Parr's graduation.

Bob Parr: It's not a graduation. He's moving from the 4th grade to the 5th grade.
Helen Parr: It's a ceremony.
Bob Parr: It's psychotic! They keep creating new ways to celebrate mediocrity.

And so it is with hearts brimming with pride that we announce

Kaleb Benjamin Murdock's

kindergarten graduation

Tuesday, May 24, 2011, 9am

Pima Butte Elementary

I learned my ABC's and 1, 2, 3's,

to tie my shoes, and when to say please.

I lost 4 teeth and learned to read.

I love to spell, play tag, and PE.

The year's come to an end, I've had lots of fun.

Watch out world, now I'm off to grade 1!

Post-graduation thoughts:: It was cutest darn school event I've ever attended, and after teaching for 5 years and being a student forever, I've been to a lot of 'em!

The stage was lit, the processional was played, and the kindies marched on stage all gussied up in their Sunday-best topped white cardstock graduation caps.

Kaleb was selected to welcome the audience and lead them in the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. Have you ever heard kinders sing the National Anthem? Cute, cute cute! They then had a few students interject with speaking parts and while all performed rhymes and songs. They sang their way through the school year with several color songs, 5 Little Pumpkins, Jingle Bells, Skinnamarink, a Dr. Seuss recitation, Little Bunny Foo Foo, and for the grand finale complete with jazz hands: Start spreading the news, we're leaving today, I want to be a part of it, 1st grade, 1st grade! It went on and on and ended with arms linked and the can-can. Seriously cute! The teachers then each said how proud they were of their students, and each kid was given a real diploma and shook hands with the principal.

A few were asked to share what they wanted to be when they grow up. One wanted to be a police officer, another a daddy so he could play and have lots of money,

one wanted to be a mommy so she could do nothing all day, and then Kaleb said he wanted to be a doctor so he could learn about the body and why people get sick. News to me, but we'll go with it! Kaleb had an ear to ear toothless smile and I must confess, I was a proud mommy.

Kaleb's teacher, Mr. Davis,

invited us all to the after-party in their classroom where he had a slideshow of the year playing.

They ate cake, punch, took pictures and left with a baggy full of goodies and a CD of the slideshow. What a fun way to celebrate a fun-filled year full of so many firsts for Kaleb and our family. I will never mock kindergarten graduation again....well okay, until it's Dylan's turn to celebrate his great accomplishment. One down, many, many, many to go, K-Buzz!