Pre-K Graduation: An Un-Necessary, But Enjoyable Activity

Today, we participated in another unnecessary end of the year activity. Preschool graduation. While I do enjoy this activity, the fact that my son still has one more year of preschool left made it a little…well, unnecessary. Why not call it the end of the year program?

But, the girl on the end who was screaming the words to every song very loudly was quite entertaining (and as a bonus made up for the fact that the kids were so stunned at what they were actually doing that they were almost inaudible), as well as the fact that the technical difficulties caused them to restart each song multiple times, which was also entertaining, although slightly annoying too.

I took this picture when he got up there, and It’s like he is staring straight at me and saying, “Why are you making me do this? This isn’t really a graduation mom. I know I have a hat on with a string glued to the top, and they are giving me a diploma, but really. This isn’t necessary.”

And, I took another one that was even better because of the other kids. This is why Preschool programs are entertaining. The girl is totally distracted, the boy behind my son looks like he just ate a sour lemon. And, I think the boy on his right is falling asleep. My little guy? He looks like he is about to cry.

I will say though that despite the above pictures, there were some moments when I saw him smile. That is of course, EXCEPT when they turned the giant spotlights (totally unnecessary in the very light and bright cafeteria we were in) on them and his very sensitive eyes started watering.

Yet he totally perked up during the ABC song (set to Rocky theme music) where they got to run in place and jump rope and do other exercises while punching the air and saying the  letters of the alphabet.

The kid to his left however decided to rebel and not run in place like Rocky. “Screw this preschool graduation! I’ll be here next year anyway!”

Ahhh. But, he did seem to enjoy himself at times. And, that’s pretty much how the entire school year went for him. He said almost everyday that he didn’t want to go, yet most of the time came home happy he went. Although, I really have no clue what he was doing those 3 hours he was away because the only updates I got on what was happening at school were what he had for snacks. There was the issue of falling in love. But, I couldn’t even get him to pose with the little girl today that he confessed his love for. So, I guess he’s moved on.

I did decide to force him to take a picture with his preschool teacher Ms. Jesika (why do you have to spell your name like that?). He seemed to thoroughly enjoy that. Or not.

I think I see that crazed look in his eye again. Maybe it’s because I have a hand planted on his shoulder forcing him to pose for another picture. It’s like at any moment he could snap, “MAKE IT STOP MOM! THIS MEANS NOTHING! DON’T YOU KNOW I STILL HAVE ONE MORE YEAR OF PRE-SCHOOL LEFT?” Sorry kid. It’s out of my control. I’m a rule follower, so I have to participate in unnecessary activities because a preschool teacher has lots of authority.

But, in all seriousness, I am proud of my Kyle. He toughed out preschool in all its pointlessness, and he persevered through singing, and coloring, pasting, and learning his letters. I mean, that is hard work. Especially when you have to go for 3 hours twice a week! He really did learn a lot. Like how he has a thing for blondes. And, he is starting to put together letters to try and make words. A HUGE accomplishment from last year when I couldn’t even get him to look at a letter and focus on it long enough to remember its name. And, I’m assuming from his stoic personality during this “graduation” that he really is a good student and will do well in school. Unless he snaps.

Happy Pre-K Graduation Kyle! Soak it up, because you will only graduate from preschool one more time in your life!!