Pomp or Circumstance

Today Ella graduated from Kindergarten! We were so worried she'd drop out awhile back. I mean learning those vowel sounds can be really discouraging. And counting by fives takes real dedication. Actually more than anything getting to school by 8 o'clock was the insurmountable chore of her entire school career. We pray she'll continue on to first grade.

Now you can look at Kindergarten graduation a few ways. If you're like Ephraim, you think it's a silly scheme for Jostens to make mega bucks on mini caps and gowns. If you're like Bob Parr (a.k.a. Mr. Incredible) you think it's a psychotic way to celebrate mediocrity. But if you're like me, you just think it's cute, so why be humbug about it.

It was a fun day. Let me tell you, Samoans love graduations. If you've ever been to a Samoan graduation, or ever seen a Samoan graduate, from anything, you know what I mean. Leis, balloons, flowers, certificates, photos, candy, kisses...happy day.

Ella had a part in the program. She read a poem about the letter "A". Awesome.

I had a surprise when the principal presented me with a plaque for reading stories in their classes weekly for the past few months. Then she had me stay up there to help fa'aula the kids, give them leis. That was sweet for me since I had gotten to know them and felt proud of them.

Isaac followed me up on stage, and I had to tell him to go back down. You can see him crying pitifully, in the brown shirt. Poor dude.

Here he's saying , "Look, the Spiderman balloon's flying away."Ladies and gentlemen, I present our Grad of 2010.
Ella with her friend Georgina.
Ella with her great teacher, Ms. Toni
I love that she's all dressed up, walking to the car on the dirt road.
We came home and started the candy frenzy. I figured either I'd try to keep them controlled and have them pester me for more candy all day, or I'd let them devour one lei and face a candy crash. The candy crash wasn't so bad.
Here's to many more graduations!