Lucas received his preschool diploma on Friday, and I still can’t quite believe that it’s all over. No more dropping him off at 12:20 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; no more fun conversations with Ms. Mary during hand-washing before class; no more table work; no more calendar time; no more snack and show-and-tell; no more playing at the preschool playground before pickup. But here’s a saying that I struggle to remember when I’m feeling this way: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

Well, I definitely smile when I think about all the wonderful things Lucas has experienced and learned during his time at preschool. He entered the Toddler Time program in Spring 2008 as a three-year-old, to introduce him to the classroom environment and the teachers. We got nervous on the first day because he didn’t want to join his group of classmates on the circle rug, instead opting to play by himself with a blue van (which the teachers let him borrow). But gradually, Lucas learned the preschool “schedule” and so much more with the help of his two amazing teachers. His growth and development has been incredible to witness.

I was doing just fine at graduation until the doors opened and the kids walked out in a line, wearing their handmade construction paper and yarn mortar boards and tassels, to the tune of “Pomp and Circumstance.” And then, the tears came. :) The teachers kept the graduation ceremony so lighthearted and fun, and the kids did a terrific job. They were adorable (and used a real microphone and everything). Jeff videotaped, and we’re searching for a way to share that 30-minute video. I took pictures, of course.

When the ceremony ended, one of the moms presented the teachers with thank-you gifts ~ quilts handmade by the grandmother of one of the students ~ and I think the teachers really liked them. Each student decorated a quilt square, which was incorporated into the design along with a class photo. Then, we enjoyed a yummy lunch ~ homemade macaroni and cheese, meatballs and sauce, pasta salad, veggie trays, bagels and cream cheese, Goldfish crackers, and much, much more. Lucas wanted to sit with his best buddy, Diego. :) Meredith enjoyed wearing her purple twirly-swirly dress (that I ordered from Etsy). We were the last family to leave because we stayed to help clean up and put things back. I can’t believe that I got to take home one of the gorgeous hanging baskets of flowers as a thank-you for serving as the secretary of the parent-advisory board during this school year! It was so thoughtful and sweet of them!

This weekend, I hung up some of Lucas’s preschool things in his bedroom. His carpet square is now lying at the foot of his bed. :) I’m not sure what my emotions are right now. I’m sad (and in disbelief) that preschool is over, but Lucas has so much to look forward to at kindergarten this fall. (Now, I just can’t wait until the class lists are posted next month!) And there are plenty of things to do this summer, of course. Meredith will enter the four-year-olds’ preschool class this fall, so we have one more year there ~ but I just can’t seem to fathom that Lucas is done.