Kindergarten celebration

On Thursday, Mrs. Benedict invited parents and family to attend a Kindergarten Celebration in honor of the children's first year of school. How sweet it was! Clearly, the children had been coached on how to host a party. When I arrived, Brendan led me to his chair at the blue group table, where he had laid out some of his special work from throughout the school year.

Brendan reads to me his "Five little monkeys" book that he created last fall.

He showed me his favorite drawings -- including self-portraits drawn last fall, in the winter and this spring and a portrait of our family. He read to me books that he has created. (Writing workshop has been one of his favorite activities this spring.) Many of his writing themes included his brother, which I find sweet since he shows little to no interest in Ryan 90% of the time. He also has many drawings of Transformers. Again, this is a tad surprising since we don't watch Transformers and we have very few of those toys.

Brendan holds up his book box, which he decorated last September and held the books he created throughout the year. It's hard to see, but he decorated it with a "TCU" bus (in purple, of course).

Afterward, he served me apple juice and chocolate chip cookies for a treat. Then we toured the classroom, which I am very familiar with since I've had the opportunity to volunteer once a month. He quickly got swept up in the party hoopla and began playing with his friends, Bailey, Luke W., Tavon and Noah.

Brendan at the block center, which was his favorite center. Each day, the children have choice time in which they can choose which centers they want to visit. Some are required -- such as writing and math centers -- while others are optional.

Brendan with his friends (left to right) Luke W., Noah, Sydney and Bailey.

To end the party, Mrs. Benedict and the teacher's aides Mrs. Lucco and Mrs. Henning presented each child with a "Kindergarten Memories" book. It includes pictures of Brendan, and a collection of his work from throughout the year. It's a book we will treasure forever.

Brendan and his kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Benedict.