Preschool Graduation

Dean graduated from Children’s Garden Preschool on Friday evening. The graduation program, with a Superheroes Theme, was held in the Ballroom at the Wailea Mariott. The ceremony started with all of the children entering the ballroom wearing their home-made Superhero capes with the Superman theme music playing! (Dean’s cape was blue with red pom-pom fringe, a black felt jewel-outlined “shield” with his name on it and a star underneath - it was so cute!). Once they reached the stage, each child walked across and did a slow turn at the front before taking a seat. They sang a song in Japanese, then a Superhero-themed song with a “hip-hop” type of dance. Next, each child came to the front and told how they thought they could be a hero and make the world a better place - Dean said “My name is Dean and I will help people that are sick”. The class then sang “Maui: Hawaiian Super Man” by Isreal Kamakawiwo’ole while dancing hula. Then (my favorite), they sang “With My Own Two Hands” by Jack Johnson and Ben Harper. After their performance, the children went out of the room to change out of their capes and into the most adorable little caps and gowns. They then walked onto the stage again in a formal processional, this time to Pomp and Circumstance, and received a “diploma” and maile lei. After graduation, many of the children exchanged congratulatory lei and we had a few lei for Dean as well, as is tradition in Hawaii. It was so cute to see Dean loaded down with lei, so proud of himself! He made plenty shakas for the camera!! We are so proud of him and can’t believe he will be heading to kindergarten in August! Where does the time go!? Here are a few photos from the evening as well as a movie of several video clips "clipped" together (sorry for the shaky camera work. Remember, if you're reading this post in an e-mail update, you'll need to go to the actual blog HERE to watch the video. You can thank Joel for that. Also, it was dark in the ballroom and we were far away from the stage. You'll just have to pick Dean out of all those kids. He's the blond one in the light blue shirt and khaki pants (yes!! long PANTS!! That was quite the big deal for him!). Notice in the video when they start to sing With My Own Two Hands that Dean and his friend Mason reach over at the same time and hold hands - SO cute! It was a struggle to control the lump in my throat for sure! I just can't believe Dean is already done with preschool. It doesn't seem possible. And he is becoming such a sweet and caring little man. He's a handful for sure, but he has such a kind spirit. We love him so much and are so proud of him!

Dean's cape:
Dean and his friend Mason waiting patiently for instructions from their teachers before the ceremony began:
The Dolphin Class entering the ballroom to the theme song from Superman, hands on their hips and looking very hero-ish:
After the program, entering for the actual graduation ceremony:

After...
And, the video: