We were sitting at a stoplight on our way to The Peeshwank’s last day of kindergarten and subsequent “graduation” ceremony, of which much pomp and circumstance had been made, when the following exchange took place:
P: “Mommy?”
Me: “Yes, sweetie?”
P: “Are you gonna miss me next year?”
Me: “What? Why?” (Total confusion.)
P: “When I’m at Notre Dame. Are you going to miss me?”
Me: “Baby, you’re not going to Notre Dame next year.”
P: “But they said we were graduating today.”
Me: “Yes, but it’s just from kindergarten. Not from school altogether. You’ve still got to go through first grade, second grade, all the way to twelfth grade.”
(He paused and I could see he was using his fingers to see how many years that was.)
P: “Well, this sucks.”
“Next year, when I’m at Notre Dame, I’m going to study Being Awesome. And science.”
Congratulations to all graduates, both kindergarten and otherwise.
Nice story, thanks for relating it. Why Notre Dame?
I’m not sure. When he was about 4 he started picking up pennies and saying, “This is for my Notre Dame fund.” (We think it may be because he thinks he’s a leprechaun and wanted to be their mascot.)
He’s gone through a number of “college crushes” since then though. Arkansas, Michigan State, Maryland, and Princeton are his current top choices.
Buy that kid Rudy for Christmas!
Great story …
He loves Rudy.
Go Green.
Sparty is the most awesome mascot ever.
Preston would agree. We went to Michigan State for about a week in 2011 (his Odyssey of the Mind team made it to World Finals) and he fell in love with the campus. He still wears his Sparty baseball cap all the time. One of his happiest moments was when Sparty himself stopped to take a picture with him the last night we were there.
I lived just a few miles from campus for almost 30 years – it is a beautiful spot in the spring and fall – not so much in the winter.
Oh, I can imagine! Being from the south, one of the things that terrifies me is “lake effect snow”. That’s just not something I ever want to experience in my life. (Of course, I’m not sure if Lansing has to deal with that, but that’s always the first thing I think of when I think of him going to college in the North.)
It really was beautiful when we were there in May though. (We had record-breaking heat and no air conditioning, which is really unusual for us Southerners! But we still loved it there!)
Cute story! Michigan State all the way!
That seems to be a popular choice today!
College crushes? At age 5? Poor kid…
He’ll probably wind up starting his own internet based business when he’s 15 and skip college altogether.
It wouldn’t surprise me. He and his friends already set up servers and such on Minecraft. He did ask us the other night what the entrance requirements were like to get into MIT. *sigh*
Thats why I couldn’t understand it either, why Notre Dame? lol
get rid of single life.
best wishes
Haha, that’s the cutest thing ever! Well, at least you know he’ll be brilliant when he grows up, with all those college crushes he has
.
I just hope he gets the scholarships to go with his expensive taste! (Especially where Princeton is concerned.)
I don’t doubt that he will get something
. Maybe he’ll be an athlete, they do pretty well!
nice
Thanks!
That’s adorable. Every graduation I felt like I was so old!! Next up for me is high school graduation. Eeeek!
http://indiraadams.wordpress.com
Thanks! Best of luck to you!
I love this!!! Can’t wait to see my “graduate” walk down the aisle. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by! Best of luck to your “graduate”!
I work as a kindergarten teacher and one of the boys plans on going to university after he finishes KG2, how adorable is that?!
I love it! They really are adorable at that age!
Well, he may be graduating from kindergarten, but every year is special until he goes away to Princeton, or whatever college. You may have a gifted child on your hands. I would keep close tabs on his education, and how it progresses. There are reasons for placing gifted children in gifted classes. This way they are challenged, and they won’t be bored, and want to drop out of school by grade 3! I’m not saying he is………but if the indicators are there……..you might look into having him tested. You see, the enthusiasm drops, and the learning lessens as the child is not challenged. The hardest children to teach are the ones on both extremes, and they do need special teachers to help with this. I know. I am a retired educator. Smile.
He’s now in 6th grade (I wrote this thinking that the only people that would read it would be my usual handful of people, so I didn’t clarify that this is one of his “old stories”, then lo and behold I got Freshly Pressed. WOW!)
We’re very fortunate to belong to a school district that makes sure the kiddos are where they need to be. This year he was placed in all Pre-AP courses and even though they said most kids can’t maintain a straight-A average doing that, he’s got straight-As for the year with only 12 days to go. He never ceases to amaze me. We’ve managed to keep him stimulated and only had one year that was somewhat of a struggle where he came home every day saying, “Please tell me school won’t always be this boring.” That was before he was able to join orchestra and Odyssey of the Mind though. Now that he’s in those activities, he wakes up every morning excited to go to school.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Thank you. So he is gifted? I suppose so if he can maintain an A-average. Thanks for replying. Ruby at Rubies Corner
Yes. He opted not to enter the gifted and talented program because it’s all day once a week and he told me he really didn’t want to miss school (it’s on the same day as one of his favorite classes). The gifted program here ends pretty early (which I thought was strange, as mine went all the way through high school), so he would’ve only had a couple of years in it anyway once we moved into this district. The Pre-AP classes have kept him engaged though, so it all worked out in the long run.
I can’t wait till my kid goes to kindergarden, all of those stages are so adorable to observe in your child
I think I probably cried just as hard at both kids’ kindergarten graduations as I will when they graduate from high school and college!
And by the way, wouldn’t it be bizarre if your Peeshwank really DOES go to Notre Dame??? Then you can roll out this old blog post, read it together…and cry/laugh some more!
Oh, I know I’m gonna be a hot mess when he graduates from high school and college! I get so emotional with every little stepping stone in his life.
If he does end up at Notre Dame, I will certainly be pulling this out and sharing with him!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
yeah those things make you cry lol
Really nice story…I love it..
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for taking time to read it!
Your story is amazing!
My favorite picture of me as a little kid is me decked out in my college crush clothes as a kindergardener! And when I ended up there years later, it went in my dorm. He’s going to love this story someday.
Oh, that’s adorable! I’ll have to make sure that I hang onto every picture of him with college gear on!
hahaha how funny! i could see where he would be disappointed that he still has quite a few more years to go before he can venture off to college. such a cute story though!
Thanks, so much!
Kids can say the craziest things sometimes, and it just leaves the parents wondering which side of the family they get it from.
Absolutely. Although, everyone knows I say crazy things myself on occasion (read: daily) so people have a tendency to point the finger in my direction!
You say crazy things too? Oh, you must be related to my mother’s family in some distant way.
Haha! Possibly!
I hear you on that one lol
So adorable! I remember kicking and screaming at my first day of school.
Katie
http://katieraspberry.wordpress.com/
His first day of kindergarten was rough. He just did not want to stay there at all. Every day since he’s been thrilled about school though!
This is such a cute story! I have 5 kids aged from 11 years down,and I often have the most surreal,sweet,moments-that-I-want-to-remember-forever conversations with them. And then of course what happens is that I forget all about these little diamond connections between my babies and I,and then they are lost forever. So thank you for inspiring me to commit these wonderful little dialogues to paper,from now on! And thank you for sharing such a sweet moment!
Wow, 5 kids! One of my best friends also has 5, so I have serious respect for what you do! Once I realized how funny Preston could be, I started making little notes about things he would do/say. I have scribbled-on napkins, emails to myself, even text messages to myself from my cell phone to remind me of everything.
Our neighbour failed to write down anything about her own kids so has become uber-granny to her grandchildren and prepares a book of their sayings.
I think my mom started me on this path. She still has pictures I drew in kindergarten along with tons of picture scrapbooks.
This is funny. I love that in childhood we have a sense of expectation that is so beyond reality, and yet it IS reality. That no plans or discussions where had about him going to Notre Dame and yet he was sure he was going. If only we could recreate that amazing wonder where the world is so new.
I have twin girls that are graduating from college this year. I know they are a little nervous about being done with school and entering into “the real world”. I just hope they have managed to hold onto some of that excitement about beginning a new journey.
Congrats to you! I can’t imagine having two graduating college at the same. You must be overwhelmed with pride!
I really love seeing life through his eyes. He’s currently “graduating” from middle school onto junior high (this was a reminiscing post) and every day I feel like he’s taught me new ways to look at things.
Congratulations on your twins graduation!
Thank you! We are very proud parents!
Aww. That is so cute .. Just imagine what would happen if all KinderGarden kids ‘actually’ went to college
Great post
Oh, wouldn’t that be fantastic!
I can only imagine
That was the most adorable thing I have ever read! Kindergarten graduation sure is confusing. I thought I was done too! Poor kid.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much!
Respectfully, I just don’t get celebrating a graduation at kindergarten, elementary or middle school levels. Even marking commencement at high school is debatable. It’s like telling the kids, “Hey, we’re surprised you made it this far, because, well, we didn’t expect you to. Mazel tov!”
Maybe that explains your son’s confusion why he’s not headed to Notre Dame just yet. LOL
I’ve never fully understood the concept of kindergarten graduation myself. My school didn’t do it (or at least not that I recall). “Yea! You made it through the easiest year of school you’ll ever experience! Woohoo!” Hahaha!
Oh, this is so cute! It makes me wonder though, how appropriate it is for the kindergartners to march in to Pomp & Circumstance. Shouldn’t we hold that off just a bit? I’m an educator, and this is something I’ve been contemplating since fall, actually.
I’m in agreement with you. I’ve always warned him that even though there’s a big end-of-year celebration that makes you feel like the hard part is over, every year is only going to be that much harder.
Good question
Precious!! Makes perfect sense.
He is pretty logical. I’ve found myself on the losing side of many a disagreement with him and had to resort to that most hated phrase in all of parentdom: “Why? Because I said so.” I always swore I’d never do that.
LOL this is so cute! It sure is a great post to read on a Friday morning (Oh how I love Fridays!!). Mind you, he’s definitely gonna be something one day
Thank you! His 4th grade teacher told me something similar. She said, “With most kids I can pretty accurately determine what they’re going to do when they get older. With Preston, I have no idea, but I know it’s going to be something amazing.”
Thats the same thoughts going thru my head when I look at my child
Cute story.
Indeed it does! Why can’t they teach it all in one year
Not sure about kids, but as a parent Kindergarten graduation is fun! Graduating from High school and starts college fund tension; graduating out of college, and they’ll be on their way too.
Oh, wouldn’t that be great to be able to get through everything in a year!
Really nice story…I love it.
Thanks a lot!
Thanks so much, I appreciate it!
What an aspiring young man you have. I’m fairly certain my 6 year old thinks when he’s done with kindergarten, he can move on to his lifelong ambition – to be a dad.
Aw, that’s so sweet! Preston talks a lot about having kids, but “not for a really, really long time.” Whew!
“kindergarten graduation”… What an oxymoron actually! A great story otherwise, second your feelings.
I agree! “End of the year celebration” would be much more fitting, I think. Or “Yea! It’s summertime! Let’s have kool-aid and cookies!”
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Fantastic posting. Thanks for sharing.
I appreciate it! Thanks for taking a moment to read it!
Enjoy the moment, as I’m sure you have heard a thousand times before, time will go by too quickly and you will be saying goodbye as he goes off to Notre Dame. I am at the other end. My oldest is graduating highschool at the end of the month and I find it unreal. I swear it was yesterday I sent him off to Kindergarten. Instead of my kiddo saying this sucks, it’s me, because really it does. No matter how many times you tell yourself you are ready for it when it actually comes you are left wondering where the time went. Wishing for just a little more time.
Enjoy the moments, and thank you for sharing, it warms my heart.
I’m going to be a mess when Preston graduates, I know it already! Thanks for commenting and congrats to you on your son graduating!
He sounds like an amazing kid. I hope he can achieve everything he wants after he graduates
Thanks so much! He certainly keeps me on my toes.
Kids are great!
Thanks for posting. 
Thanks for stopping by to read and comment!
Yes they are!
So cute. I finally graduated past every seemingly required level of schooling nowadays. I am still contemplating going for my Masters. For so many years, I couldn’t wait to be out of school, and now I feel so strange that I’ve been done for the past year.
I understand that feeling completely! I have some friends that have gone back for their Masters and I find myself pondering the idea… Maybe in a few years when the little guy is able to drive himself all over and doesn’t need me to be his personal assistant (which is practically a full-time job currently).
It’s official; you are awesome.
I just loved this. I was like this. My husband was like this. However, we have a son who would willingly repeat the current grade if he could get his friends to stay back with him — “I want to already know the stuff so I get more time to play.” I don’t know where he gets it. But I’m hoping that like the P-man, he will find something he loves (I’m hoping soon!) and latch on to it.
I also hope that awesome people reading this blog entry will be inspired to buy your books! Congratulations!
Thanks, girl! I was worried about Preston at first because he didn’t seem to be interested in reading much. Now he’s an avid reader. It just took a minute or two for it to “click” with him.
It is sort of funny, you’re basically “graduating” into the start of school? I never had a kindergarten graduation though, I feel robbed.
We didn’t have one either when I was a kid. When they mentioned it at his school, I was like “Ha! Wait. You’re serious? We’re doing a full-on graduation for 5-year-olds?” Haha! The other moms looked at me like I was crazy.
A lot of what you have experienced I still haven’t its a new world for me. But not for long
It goes by quickly, for sure!
lol, time is so endless at that age, isn’t it? I miss that in some ways!
It is, indeed!
This reminds me of when Barack Obama was on “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me” years back and was ranting on the oddity of kindergarten graduations. I can’t say I really blame him! Your post just proves that kids are just as confused by them as some adults!
Haha! I totally forgot about that.
Nice kid…with an educational plan. Very smart indeed.
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adorable!
it’s super cool for the rest of the world to hear the awesomeness that is Preston.
Oh yeah, he’s loving it. Of course!
What a riot! When I was 5, my mother told me about going to first grade. Next thing she knew, I’d disappeared. She found me many long minutes (for her) later. I was walking to school — in July, I think. Kids are such literalists! Yours sounds like a kick!
That’s hilarious!
I posted this on my blog, I thought it was so cute! I am also going to follow you. Please do the same
Sure thing! Thanks!
As someone who’s graduating soon ( I walk in the ceremony next week, and am writing my culminating paper as we speak- just took a momentary break), this resonated and made me smile. Doesn’t feel like it was that long ago that I was graduating kindergarten.
I suspect time will fly for you and Peeshwank as well!
It has really flown. He’ll be starting junior high next year (this was a reminiscing post) and it just doesn’t seem real to me yet.
Congratulations on your graduation!
I feel bad – it DOES suck! college was something of a twisted marathon for me, and high school wasn’t much better – but at least high school didn’t change the rules every once in a while – and high school was FREE!
Amen! My alma mater has been instituting tuition hikes every semester for the past couple of years. I can’t even imagine how much it’s going to cost by the time Preston’s ready to go!
Hilarious! Don’t ya think the whole thing is such a gimmick? It IS confusing.
Absolutely!
This is exactly why I skipped my 8th grade graduation. I was not even close to done with my education.
Amen! I’ve never heard of 8th grade graduation before. Before long we’ll be having graduation for every grade which will only cheapen when they DO graduate from something important like college!
I also want to study Being Awesome!
Congratulations on being freshly pressed!
Thanks! It came as a shock when my email started filling up with notifications of comments, etc.
Love thee Notre Dame! What a go-getter! Loved reading this short and sweet post!
Thanks! He really does set the bar high for himself.
It was funny and adorable at the same time! Congratulations to him on his graduation and to you on being freshly pressed.
Thanks so much, on both parts! (The freshly pressed was a huge shock, not only to me, but my inbox as well!) Thanks for reading and commenting!
well narrated nice story… as well as nice posting
lol bless him. That’s so cute!
Thanks! He can be pretty cute on occasion!
Thank you for posting such a nice story.
http://www.seawindsolution.com
Thanks for taking time to read and comment!
Notre Dame? Great choice. Alvin Plantinga, Peter VanInwagen… oh, and football… clearly this kid is going places.
I just hope he gets the scholarship money to go along with all his high hopes!
I hear that.
Kindergarteners say the funniest things! I am a substitute teacher and often sub in one particular Kindergarten classroom. I think I could write a book from all the things those kids say to me
Enjoy your little one. In a blink, you will have teenager going off to high school (like me)!
Oh I’ll bet you could!
Preston’s starting junior high next year (this was a reminiscing post) and I just can’t even believe how quickly that happened.
When I travelled to Australia I went to a pre-school/kindergarten graduation with mortar boards and capes and everything. Confused the hell out of me. Didn’t realise that this is becoming so popular?! And the kids took it so seriously…
Fortunately his didn’t have the mortarboard and robes and such. That would’ve probably confused him even more!
Haha. Brilliant kid. So cute
Thanks for sharing this story.
Thanks! He really is pretty smart.
Haha, expectations. Ambition is good, maybe he’ll make it!
I certainly hope so!
that is just too cute!
Thanks!
That is so cute! You have a very smart boy. I have to say though, as a Brit, the word “Peeshwank” is really funny! Heehee (sorry, I’m immature!)
Haha! Thanks! It is a funny word and one that’s not very well known outside of Cajun territory, so don’t worry, you’re not the only one that giggles at it!
Great story,my daughter is a kindergarten teacher and I get to hear stories like yours all the time.She has four kids of her own and we laugh every day at what comes out of their little minds.The time goes by so fast so enjoy.Blessings to you and your family
Thank you so much! I hear so many crazy things from Preston, I can’t imagine how many great stories teachers have about the things kids say.
really……
i am confused as to why your kid is confused…..
next time tell him before hand that he is moving on to first grade and this is a big step so instead of graduating kindergarden you are participating in a big step ceremony and then he will understand we parents just like to get together and celebrate great things…..like graduating kindergarden!
Very funny! Have you asked him what he will pack?
They obviously started this whole “graduation of kindergarten” business long after I had finished kindergarten (in the early 90s). I find it hilarious they have ceremonies for this!
But then Americans like to celebrate everything.
Also there are pre-AP classes nowadays? I only graduated from high school in 2006, you either had a good enough average to get into an AP class or you didn’t. I hope your kid takes time out and still enjoys being a kid! He doesn’t have to worry about college yet.
Yeah, the pre-AP thing is pretty new. It’s not a whole lot different than the regular classes, but moves a little quicker, papers have to be a little longer and more in depth, etc. He’s handled it pretty well so far and has still maintained an active social life. He can be seen every weekend night at our local skating rink with “his dudes”. Haha!
He was in Odyssey of the Mind at how old??? That’s pretty amazing! No wonder he’s scouting colleges early. I was in it from 5th grade to 7th at which point they started using Destination: Imagination! instead and no self respecting preteen would EVER be in something that sounds that lame. OM forever!!
Preach, sister! I was in it when it was still Olympics of the Mind (back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth). He started OM in 4th grade (this post was actually a reminiscing post for me). He’s now going into 7th grade and is still gung-ho about OM, which I just love!
you have one very cool kid!
Thanks, he is pretty cool from time to time!
How gorgeous, don’t you just love the way the child’s mind works?! I wonder what pearls of wisdom my son will come out with in the lead up to his preschool “graduation” at the end of this year : )
It is truly amazing to see/hear the things he comes up with.
Reblogged this on Grey Space Whale Carrying On and commented:
Haha
This is beyond cute!
Thanks so much!
Funny…yeah, I felt that way when I graduated elementary, middle, AND high school! lol
I understand!
Haha this made me laugh xD
) and she said “No” cuz apparently a stuffed bear for graduating high school is immature D:…(Yes I said high school xD)
…Great grad gift, right? Right? RIGHT? xD
When I read the title, it reminded me of the conversation with my mom and I about my graduation gift just a few days ago.
I told my mom that I wanted a stuffed bear for my graduation (which is in…a month!
It’d be a great graduation gift don’t you think?…I mean, a stuffed bear could last forever and it’d symbolize an end of a chapter and the beginning of a new one because I’d be moving to residents when I go into university
I think a stuffed bear would be a great gift! He could go with you to university and be a reminder of your mom. (Tell her every time you look at it, you’ll feel like she’s there with you. That’ll do the trick!)
Congratulations on your graduation and best of luck at university!
I used to be a Pre-kindergarten teacher and had to plan those graduation ceremonies for the 4 and 5-year-olds in my class. It always seemed like it was more for the parents than the kids, I don’t think they really did grasp what it was all about. And, I think every kid should want to “study awesome”! Very cute story.
You’re right. It reminds me of some movie/show I saw a long time ago (I can’t even begin to remember which one) where there were kids putting on a play of some sort and as soon as it started, every person in the audience whipped out camcorders right on cue.
Out of the mouth of babes. Blessings to all. Dr. Sherry
Thanks so much!
So sweet, and clearly a little boy who knows what he wants!
You’re spot-on with that!
One of the cutest posts I’ve read! I love posting about my kids, too, although they are older. Thank you so much for sharing this. It made me smile
Thanks so much for the sweet words!
When I graduated Kindergarten, I was awarded the legendary “Furby Of Excellence”. I was very proud! Of course, it all went bad when he went crazy and killed my pets. But that’s a story for another day…
I had a Furby that went nutso as well. His batteries went dead, but one night as we were watching television, he opened his eyes and sang “Doobeedoobeedoo…” Freaked.Me.Out!
Mine had a broken speaker, so every night he would scream like a banshee.
Either that, or he actually was a banshee. I’d believe either one.
Let’s all agree Kindergarden graduations are bullshit. Can I get a HELL YEAH?
Hahaha!
Kindergarten Graduations–Notre Dame..haha..how funny! Thanks for sharing..sometimes I can not understand how children think..
I understand! Completely!
How precious! It sounds like your little man is going to be very prepared once his time to graduate does finally roll around (:
Then again, I still find it hard to believe that I’ll be graduating a year from now… make sure he enjoys school while he can!
One of my mantras when he wishes he were older is “Don’t wish your life away!” Best of luck to you on your graduation next year! Enjoy that final year!
This cracked me up. I remember when I was 4, and had just finished my first year at primary school (elementary school), I decided that because I knew how to read, write, and do math, I was done with school and shouldn’t have to go back. Was devastated to learn that I had 13 years to go plus university. So this brought me right back to my childhood!
It is kinda mean, isn’t it? “Here’s your diploma. Psych!”
Haha, exactly!
That’s precious! I’ve known lots of kindergartners, but none that assumed they were going to Notre Dame next year. Amazing little fellow:)
He is pretty remarkable.
My son who is 12 now,asked me after his kindergarten graduation ” Dad,now that I graduated,am I done with school?” Needless to say,my response was not a very welcome one.
I empathize!
I actually laughed out loud! Such a cute story. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for taking a moment read and comment!
Very impressive that he knows he has to save for college! And for Notre Dame nonetheless. He has expensive taste. Tell him he better start applying for scholarships!
Exactly!
If it makes you feel any better, I graduated from college today and I still feel the same way! Grad school here I come…
I understand! Best of luck to you in grad school!
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Sweet story, love it…
Thank you!
I loved your post. I hope he can skip all the schooling and go straight to the awards ceremony at Harvard. What kind of world would we live in if all of the proposals in government were made by small children?
I suspect it’d be a much happier one!
I’m impressed! What great parents you child has, saving for college already and shooting for the moon! So awesome.
analyticallyspoken.wordpress.com
We try our best. He makes it easy for us!
Congrats on being FP’d… Love this and other posts, and looking forward to following you. :>
Thanks so much!
Wow! How funny is that. I’ll bet if you do some research you might discover the origin of Kindergarten graduations were started by the companies that make cap & gowns.
I never thought about that, but I’d bet you’re right!
I also enjoy the 2 & 3 year old ballet recital which consists of guests sitting in chairs around the same ballet room they are in all session. The class is basically the same chaos as usual, just add in a bunch of moms and grandmas watching….like we do every week. Don’t think it should be called graduation until they work for it, and don’t think it should be a recital until they’re on a stage. Come on people!
What a great mommy moment and I love the fact that he already knows what college he wants to go to.
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