Graduation Day

Grace and Maggie graduated from Kings Way Christian Educare last night! Look at our big girls! The preschool had a cap and gown ceremony. It was very well done.

The kids got actual diplomas -- a BA in Nursery Rhymes. The stage was set with art all representing Mother Goose nursery rhymes. The kids recited about a dozen in all. I remember talking with Miss Barb early on when they started her class and nursery rhymes are very near and dear to her. She's read many reports stating that if a child knows at least 7 before kindergarten, they perform so much better in reading and spelling, etc. Well, they know way more than 7 and we are thrilled!

The teachers led the group in -- Even Miss Barb and Miss Cathy had their commencement robes on. All the kids were paired up and two by two they walked down the walkway in the auditorium and on to the stage while Pomp and Circumstance played, stopping for photo ops along the way. Once on stage, they led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, recited their nursery rhymes and then, one by one, came to the microphone to say what they wanted to be when they grew up.

One little girl wanted to be the Tooth Fairy. Another wanted to be Ariel. Then there was a princess and a fighter. The boys wanted to be race car drivers and soldiers. My two little girls, always different, said a doctor (Grace) and a vet (Maggie) respectively. I guess we should start saving for college now!

Next came a slide show set to music by Billy Dean "Let them be Little". I will post the lyrics at the end of this entry. Needless to say, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. The slideshow featured baby pictures and now pictures. The kids all sat in the audience and while the parents cried, they laughed and pointed at each other, getting very excited when it was their turn to be on the big screen.

After the slideshow, each student was called back on stage, one at a time, to be presented with their diploma. After the last student was called, the whole group was back on the risers and ready for their photo op -- but not before Grace said her closing line. "We've been standing still for a long, long time and we've gone about our limit. But if you'd like to take some pictures, we'll be still for one more minute!" She did so well saying her line!

After the ceremony, we were invited to the Worship Center for cake and punch. Along the walk down the hall to get there, they had a gallery of artwork set up that the kids had done. Everything was so cute. In the reception room, there was more art and birth certificates that the children had made. These were hilarious! On Grace's, she said she was 23lbs and 7 inches long at birth. Mommy was 14 and Daddy was 16 when we had her! Maggie was 7 lbs and 8 feet long on her birth certificate. And she filled in that Mommy was 14 and Daddy was 40 when we had her!

It was all so well done. The girls got to keep their tassles. Kings Way had framed photos of each child in their cap and gown and presented the parents with this gift.

I wasn't sure what to expect from a preschool graduation. This one was short and sweet -- but very well done. Perfectly done, actually. The kids were very proud to be there. With every event we share with Kings Way, we are reminded how lucky we are that our kids are a part of such a loving daycare and preschool family. We couldn't have made a better decision for them 5 years ago.

Enjoy the photos of the new grads!

Let Them Be Little lyrics

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand.

You felt so good in it; no bigger than a minute.

How it amazes me you're changin' with every blink.

Faster than a flower blooms, they grow up all too soon.

So let them be little,'Cause they're only that way for a while.

Give 'em hope, give them praise,Give them love every day.

Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,Let 'em sleep in the middle,Oh, but let them be little.

I never felt so much in one little tender touch.

I live for those kisses, your prayers an' your wishes.

An' now you're teachin' me how only a child can see.

Tonight, while we're on our knees, all I ask is:

Please, let them be little,'Cause they're only that way for a while.

Give them hope, give them praise,Give them love every day.

Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,Let 'em sleep in the middle,Oh, but let them be little.

The so innocent, precious soul:You turn around, an' it's time to let them go.

So let them be little,'Cause they're only that way for a while.

Give them hope, give 'em praise,Give them love every day.

Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,Let them sleep in the middle,Oh, but let them be little.

Let them be little.

Graduation Day

How can it be possible that my little girls are graduating preschool today? Wasn't it just yesterday that they came into this world and turned my life upside down? One look at those faces, and I knew I was in trouble. Next thing I knew, I up and quit the job I'd known for 15 years, just to be with them more. Sleep became a novelty, not a necessity. And people started running from me, the crazy woman who talks about her twin girls nonstop!

It does not seem possible that these teenie, tiny baby girls are ready for kindergarten. Because I'm not ready for them to grow up. But then again, have I told you about how pretty and smart my girls are? They're really gonna knock 'em dead in kindergarten!

Happy Graduation Day baby girls!

Cheese Dip, Salsa, Guacamole, Blueberry?

Really, you never can predict what your children may come up with next!

On the way to school the other morning, the girls were laughing and giggling -- occasionally and somewhat randomly shouting out, "Cheese Dip!" or "Salsa!". Or "Cheese Dip, Cheese Dip!" After a few minutes of this, their Dad asked them why they were shouting those things out.

Their response, "It's a new game we just came up with Daddy! When we see a white car, we shout "Cheese Dip!" and when we see a red car we shout, "Salsa!" They thought this was the greatest game ever invented. And, it IS pretty clever for a couple of newly turned 5 year olds!

Shortly after their explanation, a green car passed them. Without missing a beat, their Dad shouted, "Guacamole!" The girls about peed their pants laughing at that one.

Apparently, the game has been extended to other colors of cars now -- and other types of foods. Just last night I heard "Blueberry!" Cue hysterical giggles ...

The Twins Turn 5 at Disney World!

Since it will take me a very long time to sort through the 950 photos and 2 tapes worth of video that we took (yes, we are THOSE parents), I thought I'd give folks a sneak preview of the fun we had at Disney World the week of the girls' 5th birthday!

What 5 year old wouldn't like 5 days at Mickey Mouse's main stomping ground for their birthday celebration? For that matter, what 39 year old wouldn't love it?? We all had an awesome time! We visited all the biggies -- Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney Hollywood and Epcot. We danced and sang with new, giant friends (and one tiny one, Tinkerbell) witnessed an awesome night parade and fireworks show and rode so many fun rides!

Every day we had a character meet and greet over lunch, dinner or breakfast. On the day of the girls actual birthday, we had breakfast at the Royal Table in Cinderella's castle! It was beautiful! The girls dressed in their princess gear and got to meet all the princesses -- even the Fairy Godmother! That evening, we had dinner at Chef Mickey's with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy and Pluto! They even delivered a birthday cake to each girl, presented in a pink treasure chest to take home! Tinkerbell personally serenaded them with "Happy Arrival Day".

It was all truly an experience to remember. How special for them -- for all of us. The girls even took their first airplane ride for the experience!

Here are a few photos to share. I'm working as fast as I can to manage all the photos down to a more reasonable amount to share with everyone. In the meantime, look at the faces in these photos and you'll see just how magical our celebration was!