Great Expectations

"...So it's with happy memories
I send them out the door,
With great hope and expectations
For what next year holds in store."

(quoted from Teacher Stephanie's end-of-year poem)

Well, on the great checklist of life, we can now cross preschool off Grayson's list! And even though there were lots of tears and groans along the way, he did it! (And truth be told, in the end I think he actually kind of liked it!) So it was very fun to get to celebrate with him this past Wednesday at TLC's "Graduation".

While waiting for the festivities to begin (the kids were "backstage"), it all of a sudden occurred to me that Grayson had never been part of any sort of stage performance. Up to this point, you know those darling little church Christmas programs? Well, yeah, those have been a 'no go' for the Ryan children who absolutely refuse to participate in Sunday school without us glued to their sides! *sigh* So I was a little bit paralyzed with fear thinking that there was no way that Grayson was going to stay up on stage and follow thru with the performance once he saw Dave and I. After all, if you know our Grayson, you know what a shy little guy he can be. But, much to my surprise, can you be more cool than this?:

They walked in singing Here Comes the Sun, followed up by You Are My Sunshine.


He was 2nd up on stage. Probably a good thing--no time to get nervous!


Teacher Stephanie's tradition is to break an "egg" over each child's head while the audience chimes in with, "Good luck!" (Granted, a little strange but pretty cute all the same!)


Mom and Dad with their proud "graduate"!


Bring it on. This boy is ready! (oh, except for those dreaded shots! *gulp*)