"When I Grow Up..."

We bid a bittersweet farewell to the 2017-2018 school year last Thursday with a graduation ceremony for the adorable wee ones. These Pre-K graduations are no joke! I am in awe of how my coworkers coordinated all of the different elements from certificates, ASL videos, pictures, artwork, awards, food, programs, and performance.

I was particularly fond of the artwork the children created - using canvas and acrylic paint - to show what they are going to be when they grow up. The finished product was covered with Mod Podge, an all in one decoupage glue, sealer and finish, to keep them lovely and framable.  I envision these hanging in their offices or homes one day as they think back to a simpler time and realize how much they were loved and nurtured in their childhoods.

The Doctor

"I'm going to be a doctor.  A children doctor! I will need a magnifying glasses. And a Stethoscope.  And a uniform!  A white coat. I will have my own office. And the kids have to let you do what the doctors need to do.  They look where they got hurt and what is wrong with them and if they got sick.  And my doctor put a Q-Tip in my throat!"

The Ballerina

"I want to be a dancer!  I like to do ballet and other dances.  I will do my dances on a stage and all the people will come watch me and the girls dance on the stage.  I want to be like a black swan!  And wear a black dress!"

The Police Officer

"I want to be the policeman.  They catch monies and bad guys steal it and run away too far.  The bad guys are always hiding.  Then we caught them.  We take a police helicopter and the police car help them.  The kids in the school bus.  We have to rescue the superheroes.  We stopped the road.  Then we blocked the road.  And we saved Superman, Batman, the Hulk, and Wonder Woman.  And we saved the day!  A policeman Hulk would be big and strong and green.  Police men need flashlight and a badge."

The Firefighter

"When I grow up, I want to be a fireman.  They spray water at the fire.  And I am going to drive the fire engine.  I need a ladder so that they could get up high."

The Construction Worker

"I want to be a builder.  I want to build a house. They will be brown and white.  I already have my own, but I will build one for some other people.  I like to play in the living room, so I will build a big living room for the kids.  But not too big.  I will need to hammer. But if I do too hard, the wall will break.  And I will build a kitchen. I can build a table too.  And stairs.  I like my real floor.  And I have a room and my sister has a room.  And a window.  I don't want to break the windows.  And I need a wrench, a saw, and an axe.  I don't want nothing to get inside the house!"

The Mommy

"I am going to be a mommy when I grow up.  I am going to have a baby boy and a baby girl.  Just 2, that's it!  They have to drink some milk.  And they eat baby food, like cereal.  I have to change the poopy diaper.  And then we'll play in the park.  And I will push the baby in the swing!  Then they sleep, then they wake up and play with their toys.  I have to bring the babies to the doctor if they feel sick.  And I will give them a present and Hello Kitty!  And I will work with computers."

The Helicopter Pilot

"When I grow up, I want to be a helicopter pilot.  They watch people and have to save people because they are in a boat sinking.  I will need to hook and a rope or a strap.  You have to pull them up with the rope.  And those floating things - life preservers for a rescue helicopter.  I don't know they know it's an emergency, but they do! Maybe it comes out on a printer.  Or a walkie talkie.  Maybe they keep their walkie talkies on their suit because they have no shelves in a helicopter.  They have seats in front.  And a lot of controls and turning wheels.  And you need a helmet."

The Police Officer

"I am going to be a policeman.  I will have to put people in jail.  If someone hurts another guy, and I will tell them, "FREEZE, YOU'RE UNDER ARREST!"  And click, click, I put on handcuffs.  And I will drive the police car with blue and red lighting and sirens.  I can even hear the siren from the 36th Floor in my building!  I heard it when I was 2 years old."

The 3-Year-Old Metaphysicist 

"I want to be Maggie"