It's with a heavy heart that I write this last post about William's kindergarten year, closing one chapter in his life and recording his milestone achieved.
2012 @ 4 year old - He received the Awesome Artist Award
2013 @ 5 year old - He received the Superb in Maths Award
2014 @ 6 year old - He received the Gold Rules Award and Character Champion Award
More importantly, he made many special friendships and developed a passion for learning.
21st November 2014 officially mark the last day of his schooling days in kindergarten. He spent a total of 3 beautiful years in this school. I believe he enjoyed every moment as he looked forward to school all the time. Despite many fun filled school holidays, I remember this boy would say that he looked forward to school again so he can see his friends and teachers.
Here are some random pictures taken in his 3 years of kindergarten...
2012
4yo William during the first week of his kindergarten. It was orientation week, and they were given name tags and allowed to wear any clothes. Orientation was fun with games, stories and songs.
From top left: 6yo posing on the way to school, top middle: 4yo having his lunch in the car after school, top right: 6yo in his PE uniform on Mondays, Bottom: 5yo William giving me the "scare"
2012/2013
Top pictures taken when he was 4yo - big bite for the big boy at snack time and building lego blocks. Bottom pictures taken during his 5th birthday celebration in school
2014
William celebrated his 6th birthday in school with his classmates and favourite teacher!
Friendships must be cherished especially with good friends...
From left: K, J and William at 6yo
Fooling around with his friends from 6yo class
Amongst the first few friendships made, one was with P.
With some of his teachers in his school. Left: With his class teacher Apple
I am so happy that his experience in his first formal education institution has been smooth and good - praise God for good teachers who guided and encouraged him. I pray that this will open doors to many more wonderful developments and experiences.
Some months back, we planted stalks of colorful Japanese roses in little pots. On the last day of school, he presented them to some teachers - each with a special Bible verse personally handwritten. The significance of the flowers represents the little children who receive love and guidance from the teachers. Just as the educators nurture the children like plants, these plants will grow and bloom and even multiple one day.
Impromptu group picture so not everyone is here or prepared. Kids are all dressed up in their concert costumes
So it's goodbye kindergarten and in a month's time, it will be hello to Primary School. I wished that I knew who my kindergarten friends were now, or even their names. For William, we made little stickers with his contact details on it so hopefully, one fine day there will be that "Do you remember me?" email or phone call. : )
My baby boy graduated from his kindergarten last Saturday, 27th September 2014. His kindy alternates between a Sports Day or a School Concert every year, and this year it was the School Concert.
Two years ago, when William was 4yo, he played the main role of the lion in his class presentation. This year, he was given the Whistle Master role.
Students were required to arrived early by 7:45am to register, thereafter they were to gather in their respective classes so that the teachers and helpers can help them put on light make-up, adjust their costumes or graduation gowns and feed them a light snack.
Left: Big jie jie helps him gel up his hair. He wraps a towel around his neck in case his shirts gets wet in the process. Middle: Wearing his shoes Right: Boy wears his costume by himself.
Photography credits
Much as I would have liked but parents were not allowed in the classroom.
The auditorium was decorated with balloons and fairly packed with excited parents and family members
However, as you will see later, we received privy photos taken by the official photographers of our son behind closed doors and unblocked view up on stage. Words cannot express how touched and blessed I am when these photos were sent to us, as the photos from my camera did not produce very good results. On the same note, many of the beautiful photos here were taken from Yeh Yeh's camera because Yeh Yeh decided to move up to the Gallery before the ceremony, and he found prime spot for his iPad to video and snap photos. I am forever grateful! Looks like getting front row, aisle seats has so much limitations.
His class teacher, Apple puts on a little bit of color on his fair white cheeks and lips
The concerts started on time at 9am with a brief welcome by the Emcee, followed by the house rules and soon after, the announcement of the students and classes as they walk proudly into the auditorium.
Oops, this is not William!
First to walk in was the Malaysian flag bearer who was a boy from another class. I held my camera up to get ready to snap pictures of my son not knowing when he will be walking in, but assuming he will be together with his class.
I got a shock when the Emcee announced my son's name instead as the Malaysian flag bearer! I fumbled with my camera for awhile until I realized it was a mistake. I felt so bad for the boy who's name was only quickly mentioned after the Emcee realized his blunder, which I thought was rather too late as the Selangor flag bearer has walked in.
Finally, here he is!
After the four flag bearers walked in, it was William's turn and he smiled his boyish smile at me us when he saw me us by the side. My heart melted.
First glimpse of my graduating boy!
View from the powerpoint
Standing beside Teacher Evelyn who gives him the cue to blow the whistle
Steady on stage. Very serious too. Hhmm...
View from the Gallery. William stands in the middle
The students entered class by class, all dressed up in their respective glittering, shiny and smart costumes. The 3yos made the guests oooh-ed and aaaahh-ed with their cuteness, the 4yos made us giggle and laugh, the 5yos made us clap louder, and last but not the least, the 6yos made us all swell with pride.
Teacher Evelyn gives the cue to William for the first blow on the whistle, to indicate for all to stand as the National Anthem, Negaraku is played.
After the National Anthem was sung, the guests were requested to sit and William blows the whistle twice to gesture the same to his fellow school friends. They get off stage and then it was time for the student speeches in three languages, Principal's speech and Pastor's speech.
Presentation of Certificates
William stands on the last row, second from right
Second from right, William stands almost as tall as a few of the girls in his class
Each graduand's photo was flashed up on the big screen when their names were called to collect their certificates
Party time!
We were entertained by all the colorful and vibrant performances in different songs made popular in the 1970s also in different languages.
Here are some by other classes:
William in action
And here's the video of his class presentation of "Ja Jambo"
My little performer
Mummy with my two darling children
Let's celebrate with food!
After the ceremony, we had lunch at the newly opened Jaya Shopping Mall in Section 14. Although we had not planned to eat at Serai Restaurant which serves local, northern cuisine, but it was a pleasant surprise as service and food quality was good, dessert was sweet and the ambience was comfortable.
The foods that we ate... from nasi kerabu to pavlova
And finally our home looked festive too, with all the balloons that we took back from the auditorium.
My Dear Boy Boy, I want you to know that Mummy Daddy are both very proud of you. Your graduation marks another milestone in your life and although reality have not really set in for me, I know I will very very soon miss sending and fetching you from kindy. I will one day hold your folded uniform, wishing that you can fit into them once more. I will one day look at your Transformer pulley bag and wish I'll see you push and pull that bag as if it was a car to you. Wasn't it just a couple of years back that you cried when you joined kindy? Boy boy, now you almost run into class every morning when I drop you off! I know you are ambitious just by knowing what you want, and praying hard for it. But hardwork needs to be put in, and consistency is the key. Take time to play, but don't take too long a time to finish your meal or a page of homework. Last but not least, take time to assure your mummy here, that you will always be my little boy. Loving you always and forever.
Update:
Last night when I put him to bed, I lay down beside this boy because I wanted to see him drift into Dreamland. This is what he told me after a while, "Mummy, you better go out to do your work now, so that you can finish fast and come in to sleep fast."
