Well, with much fanfare, our Graduation Program went off without a hitch!! Not one preschooler left to go to a parent, and the songs were bellowed out with such grandeur that I couldn't help but tear up and want to hug and kiss each of those little guys and gals!! Wow, is all I can say.
I was able to read my speech (without to many tears or hiccups) and I hope that all my families now know how much their child means to me!! I can't help but get attached to a child, their family and siblings. They become part of me, spending so many hours together every week. I love that I get the privilege of having them for years sometimes. I miss those that have had to leave and I treasure the time we had together.
So, I hope to get some photos up tomorrow. We could not save my last computer (or my photos) so it is being rebuilt as we speak. I will now begin to makeup for all those lost photos by taking pictures every chance I get :) (and backing them up!!)
Our summer schedule starts next week. I have planned some fun stuff for the kids. I can't wait to get going on it. All in good time :)
Showing posts with label graduation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label graduation. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Lasts & Firsts
This is a week of LASTS. Each day this week will be the last one I spend with one of my preschoolers that I have been watching since he was 2. Unlike the rest of the kids, he will go on to Kindergarten and not be here in August. He will go to another house for 1/2 days, days off, and the unexpected sickness. I know the boys will see each other over the summer, but between trips to the mountains for us and the beach for them... it won't be much. My son and he will go through school together, but I will become the bystander, not the caregiver. I will watch from afar, as his memories of me fade, and that awkwardness descends when I try to steal a hug, kiss or just a quick hello. He won't be coming by my classroom, or picking up a sibling each day, to keep me fresh in his mind. But, I will cheer from the sidelines, enjoy his successes, watch him grow. I will forever have him in my heart, and even from afar, I will continue to love him as I have grown to all these years. I watched the DVD I made for tomorrows program, one of the kids from 3 years ago through today, I cried. This is the saddest part of the Child Care business.
A week of lasts is sad in itself... but a promise of FIRSTS brings new life into our program. Our Princess is a proud big sister to our newest baby... Little Man. Weighing in at a nice, substantial, 10 lbs 5 oz... he will be a welcome first when he comes in August. I will be privileged to get to see and be a part of the many FIRSTS he has. The Lord has given me a Wonderful distraction while my own baby goes off to kindergarten with his best friends.
I will also have a spunky, little Sprout starting in August. I can't wait for her to join our group. She seems so eager to learn, play and I believe she will thrive here. As the Oak Ridge Boys said, "Thank God for Kids!!!" I am Blessed to have the best job in the world!!
A week of lasts is sad in itself... but a promise of FIRSTS brings new life into our program. Our Princess is a proud big sister to our newest baby... Little Man. Weighing in at a nice, substantial, 10 lbs 5 oz... he will be a welcome first when he comes in August. I will be privileged to get to see and be a part of the many FIRSTS he has. The Lord has given me a Wonderful distraction while my own baby goes off to kindergarten with his best friends.
I will also have a spunky, little Sprout starting in August. I can't wait for her to join our group. She seems so eager to learn, play and I believe she will thrive here. As the Oak Ridge Boys said, "Thank God for Kids!!!" I am Blessed to have the best job in the world!!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Down to the Wire
Ahhh... our morning was wonderful. We had a lot of fun making some decorations for our graduation program. The Coloration's Water Colors came out and the painting commenced... it was beautiful. The kids love those vibrant colors, almost as much as I do :)
Practicing our songs are getting a little more serious, we have placed our chairs in their "spots," and practiced walking, sitting, standing, etc... They are doing sooooo well. Having a special program or graduation in a home child care setting can be some what tricky. You have to really take into consideration how many children you have, their ages and what you want them to do. I am lucky that I have some older preschoolers who not only LOVE to perform, but can memorize, sing, and "carry" the program if need be. We always have one child run off to the audience, and I have to come to expect it, but having the others stay in their chairs and complete the performance... it is a really great feeling.
I want my families to know how much I appreciate them letting me not only love and care for their children, but teach them. That they trust my abilities, is a wonderful feeling. I can't say enough about how wonderful all my families are. Although, next year I lose 3 of my oldest preschoolers to kindergarten... so I have to really get creative next year, as I will have 3 under 3 and only 2 5yr old's. Hum... I am hoping to find other providers in the area that might want to meet and work together a few days a week, and then have them be in the program too... we will see :)
We also finished with our letters this week. Letter Z was a success... we of course loved talking about the zoo, zebra's, and zippers. We even worked on zipping up a coat... I think my "graduates" will do well on their own. Me, on the other hand, will miss them terribly!!!
Tomorrow we will hopefully finish our decorations and move on to our "menu" for the party following the program. I am sure cookies will top our list, but I am thinking fruit kabobs will be a nice addition this year :) The kids like making them and I like eating them. My nerves are beginning to rev up, so I must go make a list now of all I must complete by next Tuesday. With my computer broke, my photos for our DVD may or may not ever be found, so I must think of something else to make. HUM... I don't know. I need to get my creative juices flowing.
Practicing our songs are getting a little more serious, we have placed our chairs in their "spots," and practiced walking, sitting, standing, etc... They are doing sooooo well. Having a special program or graduation in a home child care setting can be some what tricky. You have to really take into consideration how many children you have, their ages and what you want them to do. I am lucky that I have some older preschoolers who not only LOVE to perform, but can memorize, sing, and "carry" the program if need be. We always have one child run off to the audience, and I have to come to expect it, but having the others stay in their chairs and complete the performance... it is a really great feeling.
I want my families to know how much I appreciate them letting me not only love and care for their children, but teach them. That they trust my abilities, is a wonderful feeling. I can't say enough about how wonderful all my families are. Although, next year I lose 3 of my oldest preschoolers to kindergarten... so I have to really get creative next year, as I will have 3 under 3 and only 2 5yr old's. Hum... I am hoping to find other providers in the area that might want to meet and work together a few days a week, and then have them be in the program too... we will see :)
We also finished with our letters this week. Letter Z was a success... we of course loved talking about the zoo, zebra's, and zippers. We even worked on zipping up a coat... I think my "graduates" will do well on their own. Me, on the other hand, will miss them terribly!!!
Tomorrow we will hopefully finish our decorations and move on to our "menu" for the party following the program. I am sure cookies will top our list, but I am thinking fruit kabobs will be a nice addition this year :) The kids like making them and I like eating them. My nerves are beginning to rev up, so I must go make a list now of all I must complete by next Tuesday. With my computer broke, my photos for our DVD may or may not ever be found, so I must think of something else to make. HUM... I don't know. I need to get my creative juices flowing.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Graduation, Decorations & Water
We had a nice long weekend off and now are getting back to practicing for our program and playing with our friends. I am unable to upload any photos again since my computer is down. I know I should have saved my photos on my flash drive, but I hadn't gotten to it yet. I thought that since it was just fixed I was ok.... NO!! So, I won't be posting photos until we can get that under control. I am on my husbands computer now, and it is frustrating not to be able to just bring up the files and photos I want or need. It's my own fault though.
We are in much discussion about decorations for our program next week. We love the concept that Kristin used over at Preschool Daze. I love the simple, flowing fabrics. We are trying to come up with a variation, since I don't have fabric at my disposal. Yes, can you believe I do not have a fabric store near by. None!! We have craft stores, but no fabric stores. I think there is a quilt shop that I heard may or may not carry fabric, I think I may have to check it out this weekend. But, donated fabric would be nice :) We are having a "Graduation" for 3 of our preschoolers, so we don't know if we want a more traditional theme, or go for a more simple, fun theme. Hopefully we will come to an agreement tomorrow and can get to work :)
It is getting hot here and we (ok, really the kids, not me) love being outside, even in the hot, muggy weather. The sprinkler is a must have. Even though it creates a river of mud. The kids love running through it and, in the end, the mud is as much of a draw as the water itself. Donna and Sherry left a comment about the drought they are experiencing in Australia, we thankfully only had to deal with drought conditions in NC for 2 summers. It was sooooo hard for me. We use water outside ALL the time. I remember not even being able to fill up the little kiddy pool. So, I know how lucky we are to let the kids run and play in the running water. It is definitely a memory I hope they remember for a lifetime :)
We are in much discussion about decorations for our program next week. We love the concept that Kristin used over at Preschool Daze. I love the simple, flowing fabrics. We are trying to come up with a variation, since I don't have fabric at my disposal. Yes, can you believe I do not have a fabric store near by. None!! We have craft stores, but no fabric stores. I think there is a quilt shop that I heard may or may not carry fabric, I think I may have to check it out this weekend. But, donated fabric would be nice :) We are having a "Graduation" for 3 of our preschoolers, so we don't know if we want a more traditional theme, or go for a more simple, fun theme. Hopefully we will come to an agreement tomorrow and can get to work :)
It is getting hot here and we (ok, really the kids, not me) love being outside, even in the hot, muggy weather. The sprinkler is a must have. Even though it creates a river of mud. The kids love running through it and, in the end, the mud is as much of a draw as the water itself. Donna and Sherry left a comment about the drought they are experiencing in Australia, we thankfully only had to deal with drought conditions in NC for 2 summers. It was sooooo hard for me. We use water outside ALL the time. I remember not even being able to fill up the little kiddy pool. So, I know how lucky we are to let the kids run and play in the running water. It is definitely a memory I hope they remember for a lifetime :)
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