Taft's VPK Graduation

Thursday was Taft's Pre-K Graduation.  He was so excited!  He talked about it for weeks.  About the songs that they were planning to sing, about the song's that would play when they walked in and out, and about partner dancing.  He was truly counting down the days.
I was so blessed that I work in a place that allows me to take off work for things that Taft has.  I was able to take off the entire day.  My mother in law and I went to school with Taft that morning.  We were able to talk and play with kids in class.  I have helped in class with some of these kids for over three years.  I know that not all of them will be in Summer Camp together this summer and only about four with will be in the same school with us in the fall.  It was truly bitter sweet since I have grown to love them all.
The first part of graduation was the class performance and the kids walked in to The Greatest Love of All.

 Taft loves, I mean LOVES, saying the pledge to the flag.  So I was thrilled that it was in their program.  Even though he still keeps the wrong hand over his heart.

 Two classes graduated together.  The other class sang Dinosaurs Here No More and Taft could not help but make the T Rex hands while they sang.

 He also got a little sassy during one of the songs his class sang.

 One of the cutest things that the kids did was partner dancing.  I Hope You Dance started and one boy at a time got up and got his girl.  He was very lucky to dance with Sienna.  They danced and the boys spin the girls.  You can tell he was having a great time!

 Finally it was time to get those diplomas.  So in they came.

 He had a little trouble with that hat and tassel.

 But it was all straightened out in time to get his diploma from Mrs. Linda.

 And here is what you do with diplomas if you are 5.

 And after we left school, Taft got to decide where to go for lunch.  He picked Panera Bread.  Everything was perfect even though we got soaked due to Tropical Storm Andrea.  ;0

Senior Portraits

Taft is in Pre-K and graduation is coming up fast.  They finally got their photos back and we loved all three options, so we bought them all.

 Taft as the All-American football player.

 

 Very prep school.

And the classic cat and gown.

We also have another graduate in the family for this year.  My niece, Mallory Elizabeth, is graduating from Kindergarten.  A big congrats to her too!!

Cat in the Hat

As most of us know, Dr. Seuss has a birthday in March.  I think that every school that I know of celebrates in some way.  Taft's preschool is no exception. 

His room was all decked out in Dr. Seuss themed crafts and books.  The children could bring in books of their own also.  We went through all of Taft's and found one that he said the classroom did not have for him to take in.  Horton Hatches the Egg. 

On Friday, I went to pick Taft up and he was so excited.  It was his day to take Cat in the Hat home.  Ms. Linda has a bag with a Dr. Seuss book in it that includes six stories.  It also has a clip board with a page explaining what to do and there is a nice stuffed Cat in the Hat. 

Each child takes Cat home and writes down each thing that Cat does with the family.  You can also read the stories, which we did, and of course we took a few photos since we got to have Cat all weekend long!

Here is Taft all excited to leave school with Cat.

And here they are in Target.  Cat helped us shop for food and even picked out shorts, a shirt, and socks for Taft.

They also enjoyed watching some cartoons after dinner.

Cat also went to a birthday party.  I am pretty sure that he was ready to go back to school and get a little rest.

First Day Of Pre-K

Taft started to Pre-K on Thursday.  We decided to keep him in the same school that he attended his Toddler Class and Preschool.  They go through Pre-K and had great scores on the state tests.  He already knew everyone there and we knew which teacher we thought would be great for him.
He was in school all summer but his classes were basically Summer Camp with some Pre-K prep.  He was really excited about starting VPK.  In fact, he asked everyday this week when VKP would start.  They divided the kids in his Preschool Class up.  Some are in his class and some are in another.  Those two classes are VPK with wrap around care in the mornings and afternoons since Shane and I both work.  The other three VPK classes are just three hours a day and those kids go home.
I am very happy that he is in Miss Linda's class for VPK and then Miss Daniella (who is a morning VPK teacher) for the afternoon wrap around.  It is like he is in classes all day and still having a great time.
To make him feel like he was having a "first day", we bought a new outfit and ordered a new backpack from Amazon.com.
Here are a few photos from his first day..

And remember to link up your first of school photos here.