Preschool graduation at Hartley Nature Center

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Three graduates in Theo's afternoon class
Miss Becca and Miss Dani
Marit loves her brother so much!
I found myself humming the tune of the song, "Pop and Circumstance" as this was the first of many graduation ceremonies that we will attend for Theo; this one from Hartley Nature Preschool. Looking back, it has been a while since I've been at a graduation as the spectator and not as the graduate. While it is fun to be recognized as a graduate finishing (many) years of higher education (Bachelors of Arts from Macalester, Medical Degree from the U of MN, and most recently a Master of Public Health degree from UW not to mention internal medicine and cardiology graduations), but it feels different to be the parent of a child at graduation. I felt so proud of my son and so overjoyed that he had such as wonderful year, made new friends, and really matured that I honestly had little tears in my eyes as he "walked" across the Hartley Nature Preschool lobby in his paper cap to get his "diploma."
Theo asked me, "Mom, can I go to Hartley forever?"
"No son, sorry you can't." I replied sadly but I wish he could. I wish all schools were as wonderful as Hartley and I can only hope that his next schools will have such loving and wonderful teachers, like Miss Becca, Miss Dani, Miss Maria and Miss Alyssa. He played outside every day this year, even when it was negative 20! He loves exploring the outdoors and despite being one of the older kids in his class, he quickly became a leader in the classroom and learned patience waiting for the younger kids to get ready. His best friends were Lennix, Kaitlyn, Eli and Finley. His teachers told us they adored him and loved his curiosity and thoughtful questions (which they admitted that they would often have to look up the answers to as they were really tough). His imagination blossomed and he went from being a "little (but tall) kid" into a "big (and even taller) kid" ready to start kindergarten at Congdon Elementary school this fall. He enjoys playing soccer with Gitchi Gummi club twice a week and will play on the U8 Congdon Park club team (coached by his momma) this fall. He takes swim lessons at the YMCA twice per week and is a little fish and can dive off the boat at the lake without a lifejacket. We can't wait to see what next year (and the 20 after that) will bring for both Theo and Marit and we hope for many more graduations, even if they are little milestones, in the future.
Yay for Theo's graduation!
Giving Miss Becca a going away picture signed by the class

Graduation moved inside Hartley due to rain 

Theo's class

Congrats Theo!





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