Of course! Today was the sort of graduation event for the kindergarteners. The reason it is 'sort of' is because Laurie is not a big believer in having graduation per se from grades other than high school and college. BUT, this sort of grew from nothing into something today. A while back, she read the kids a book called "Hold the Anchovies", about making pizza. Mario's parents both work in the family's Italian restaurant in Orange Park, Sorbello's. Laurie said to Mario, "Maybe some day your daddy can come and make a pizza for us!" Mario got all upset, declaring, "Mrs. Langley! We need an oven!!" Laurie assured him that we have an oven, or even two, for making pizzas. The idea grew until it became a field trip to the restaurant on a day they were closed for business to make pizzas themselves, and today was the day! It was a hoot, with each child having dough in front of them, working it with the help of us grown-ups, and then making it pizza-shaped. The kids spread the sauce on the dough, added their toppings, and then Chris took the kids to the kitchen to pop the pizzas into the oven.
*
While they were baking, Laurie presented a slide show with music in the background, pictures of the kids taken over the year. Well, needless to say, I totally lost it almost immediately for a number of reasons, not all of them because of this class. The first hymn in the background was "To God be the Glory", and the photos are of the first days of school. My, how they matured in those short months! Mario grew over two inches taller since school started, and we know this because Laurie kept a growth chart in the classroom where she tracked their heights. Eventually I settled down and could watch it dryer-eyed than the first portion. It must have been the 'shock' of how the music and photos just clicked or something. Later, as the slide-show kept playing, the kids would stop their fun and watch, singing along quietly to the little ditties behind the photos. The "B-I-B-L-E", "This Little Light of Mine" and other songs like that that I just cannot think of right now. No worries, Laurie promised me a copy of the DVD for my own so I can watch it anytime I need my eyes washed out....Add one more thing to my collection of eye-washing prompters!
*
While I was talking with Mario's parents, Twila and Chris, they told me a sweet tale about Mario---when riding down the street the other day with the kids in the car, they asked Mario what he would like for his birthday coming up. He was quiet a moment and said he couldn't think of anything but added, "I know what we should get for Taj....." That guy! Instead of pondering what he could ask for, he came up with something to get for his older brother, and it's not even his birthday yet! They told about watching "The Blind Side" the other night and hearing the story of Ferdinand the Bull. Chris said that bull is definitely Mario, a gentle giant of a boy, caring so much about others, never angry unless provoked. At that point I was determined to find that book to buy for Mario's birthday which I am invited to attend but will have to miss due to my trip up north. Books-a-Meelyon, as Timmy would say, had one copy that the clerk had to locate for me. Bravo! I also found a Yahtzee Game made up of Toy Story characters for the Langley boys to play, when their birthday comes closer. Hopefully I can resist giving it to them ahead of time....
*
This evening the sadness was turned to joy as the Ladies' Group gathered at La Napolera for a social outing. We had 14 show up and some of us shared a pitcher of margaritas, supposedly the cheaper way to go, according to Judy J. The waiters were very good, entertaining and playful, trying to keep us all straight and well supplied with chips and salsa and beverages. Judy was my driver and I made her cross by buying her dinner as my thanks for the all the driving around she is doing for me. Wednesday a.m. we meet again for the ride to the airport as Justin has an engagement mowing lawns in St. Johns county at the model and spec house. She loves her job of chauffeur and I appreciate her offer!
*
Tomorrow I am meeting Judy C. at church to set up for the graduation reception for the preschool kids, one of which is my goddaughter, Sarah. She is moving on to kindergarten next fall, which unfortunately is not at Good Shepherd. Justin wants to get Sarah personalized school supplies so that when she gets to the government school she will not have to throw hers into the pile for all to share. He thinks that will prevent it but who knows? Nobody messes with Justin's godchild!
