Pomp and Circumstance

Jude "graduated" preschool. It's been three short years since the first day we dropped our baby off at the steps of Manhattan Beach Preschool:

And suddenly, I've realized that we have less than fifteen years left with him before (Lord willing) he goes off to college and we will not see him everyday. To Kwang this seems like a long time. It does to me, too, but it is also a day I know will come much too quickly. And last week as I sat there watching Jude in his paper cap receiving his butterfly decorated diploma, my heart sank a bit.     Maybe more than a bit:

While I've come to learn some of Jude's weaknesses, I've also begun to understand some of his strengths over the past few years of "school". Despite being extremely shy, he is often willing to step into new environments without complaint. And even though many feel it's unfortunate that he is more likely to be bullied than to bully, he's learned to speak up when someone is being unkind and has on occasion helped those who were less able to help themselves. I'm thankful for him in many ways because he's made each step of parenthood thus far easier for me to handle. I would be dreading kindergarten if it wasn't for the fact that he is happy about going. I'm not sure what I would do if we had Eli first. Yes Eli, the one who does not do well with change, the one who screams and cries every time I have to cut his fingernails. Jude is our oldest and has already grown so much, but I try to remember that he's still only five years old. So I'll hold him when he wants to be held even though he's not so little anymore. Although I look forward to seeing the people our children become, I often want to stop time so they don't have to grow up.

Finally, a small Father's Day gift for my dad, deliciously fresh after a bath:

(Notice I finally found a hairpin that is the perfect size for Audrey!)