I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"

I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world

Oh yeah

A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path ~Agatha Christie~

The milestones are coming more and more quickly these days it seems. Last night was Punkin's Pre-Kindergarten "Graduation". I didn't even realize there are such events nowadays. That shows you how much I know.

We arrived a couple of minutes early for the festivities, and dropped Punkin off in her classroom with the other children who would be graduating. Both Hubby and I were suprised at the reaction when our little family walked into the classroom. Punkin was nearly mobbed as some of the other children called her name and rushed to give her a hug. I didn't realize even pre-kindergartner's had "cliques."

Sweet Pea, Hubby and I then moved to the room where the event would take place to wait. Already the largest room at the small school was nearly filled to capacity with expectant (not "expecting") parents and brothers and sisters (both older and younger), as well as some grandparents, aunts and uncles. Moms were instructed to sit in the aisle seats. There was standing room only along all the walls.

The graduates appeared and shyly, but bravely filed into the room, walked up the center aisle and took their places at the front. The first item on the program was "Charlie the Caterpillar", a short play. Each child was wearing a construction paper hat. There were some mice (who were playing cards), some bunnies (who were playing tennis), and some monkies (who were playing golf). It was such a cute little play. Punkin had talked about the play for weeks. Some days informing us that she was a "monkey", another day she was a "bunny", and so on until she had practiced being all the characters. She ended up being a bunny, and performed very well.

Hubby was video-taping the festivities while I entertained Sweet Pea on my lap. At one point, she stood up on my legs, and tried to look over all the heads of the people in front of her. Just when she was getting herself all "fussed up", one of the teachers came over and offered to watch her for me for a bit. It worked out great, too. It was getting a bit challenging juggling the digital and film cameras while holding Sweet Pea and trying to keep her from grabbing either and knocking them to the floor.

Next on the program was the song "What a Wonderful World". Punkin had sung the song for us a couple of times over the past couple of weeks, once surprising both Hubby and I at the dinner table with it. (As she sang it that night, the moment froze itself in my heart). Now, a year and a half ago, she sang in her school's Christmas program. The thing is, she didn't really sing. She stood up at the front of the room and watched the other kids sing. This time though, she sang the whole song with a smile.

After the song, each child presented a rose to his/her Mom. That was a sweet gesture, and I only got a little bit weepy for a second before I regained my composure. The children walked out of the room and once again lined up in the hallway for the procession and diploma presentation.

One by one, they appeared in the doorway of the room. The children were dressed up in their Sunday best and wore a smile. Each one topped off with a stapled together black construction paper graduation cap, complete with a yarn tassle.

After everyone had received their diploma, and before the "refreshment pandamonium" ensued, the children lined up at the front of the room once again and recited "The Smile Song":

I've got something in my pocket
That belongs upon my face
I keep it very close at hand
In a most convenient place

I think you wouldn't guess it
If you guessed a long long while
So I'll take it out and put it on
It's a my Kindergarten smile

And away she goes...

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