End of an era

Today we marked the end of the first major chapter in B's life - his 'graduation' from nursery.

There were nine other little ones (or not so little any more...) graduating too. Mummies, daddies and the odd granny and papa (including B's gran, and Daddy) filed in to the preschool room, took their seats as best they could in toddler chairs (!), packets of tissues and cameras on standby. B had a new shirt on for the occasion, which he had apparently been unbuttoning all morning and 'flashing' the other children. (oh dear). Fortunately all the buttons were where they should be by graduation time.

I was wondering what 'graduation' would actually mean for preschoolers. The 'Order of Service' sheets (how cute!) handed out explained there would be the usual introduction and welcomes, a few songs, the 'graduation' itself, a few other songs and then some snacks and nibbles. Of course, given we're talking about organising nine 4/5 yr olds, the planned order didn't quite go to schedule...

We did get a rousing rendition of The Wheels on the Bus, one girl singing* (*for singing, substitute shouting as loudly as possible) her own version all the way through. Next came the handing out of certificates, enthusiastic applause from the audience, and then an attempt to hold each child still for long enough to get a photo which didn't have a finger up a nose or certificate in front of the face. Then the pre-school teacher attempted to give a little speech, but another staff member had to take over as emotions got the better of her. That nearly had me going, but actually I was far more composed than I thought i was going to be.

We had another few songs after that, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and another one about turtles I think...

And that was that. He's still got  a week or so of actual nursery still to go, i think i'll be bit more emotional when we have to do the actual goodbyes. Although it did dawn on me just a little while ago that today was the last day in nursery that he'll get to see his best little buddy, the two of them being inseparable for the past 3 years. They're going to different schools too, and although i'm sure they will see each other again, I know they'll miss each other terribly.

Wow, big day today. One down, the next big one to follow when school starts in a few weeks time. Phew. Think a wee glass of something is in order now.