artin's kindergarten graduation

i always laughed at people that had pictures of their kids in their kindergarten graduation gear on their mantle--the ones that made plans around the "big day" and the ones that actually TALKED about it. well.

i've become one of them. i have his picture in his cap and gown, i made sure ario didn't have any work or moonlighting or anything on the night of the event--yes, it was an event!

and i cried. like, a lot. i think a lot of it has to do with the fact that he's ending his time at one of the best things about this place: his montessori school. i mean, that school alone redeems about 99% of all the shitty things about cincinnati (even the cicadas. and the bats...) anyway, he'll be a big bad 1st grader in a school that is probably 8 houses away from us, so it's all great. i think i will miss the routine, and the comfort of knowing everyone already.

anyway, here are some pics from the night. they had a performance, and they sang a song called "human rainbow." THAT was the song that had my tear ducts leaking out saltwater like it was nobody's business. in my defense, i saw two other people dab at their eyes, and one of them was a dad. so there.

artin and his self-portrait:

with one of his teachers. the table behind him had his artwork from the year on display:

with a couple of friends:

the kids lining up outside the school to get a class picture:

with their teachers:

just the boys:
yup, he's a shrimp.

walking in for their performance:

...and taking the stage, all on their best behavior:

receiving his kindergarten diploma (i know, i know...) from the director: