The Houghs: Preschool

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Once Again, 'Twould Appear That Congraduations are in Order...

Hunter's Creek Elementary

I don't know about you, World, but I think it's kinda ridiculous that our culture here in the States celebrates mediocrity to the degree that it does. I don't know if it's an American institution or what, this idea of rewarding students and athletes and what-have-you an acknowledgement or prize of some kind for simply participating.

Pretty sure the ancient Greeks never awarded laurels to 'Runners Up' in Olympia.

Anyway, I bring this up because, as we did once before, the Houghs attended yet another grand celebration of Mediocrity:

Guess which kid's a Hough. Go ahead. Guess.

Abby's Pre-School Graduation.

And, like last time, this fell on my last day of school. . . which I was actually cool with this year 'cause my afternoon classes were a pain in the ass this year. I was able to leave work at lunch, swing by the house to change into quasi-formal wear and grab my camera gear, and head over to Hunter's Creek Elementary School for what turned out to be. . . well, just what you'd expect.

Smurf it:

Opening statements, courtesy of Ms. Roberta, the head Director at Sunchild.

Exhibiting some serious patience, here.

This ceremony - like Alayna's two years earlier - followed a pretty clear-cut program, clocking in under a half hour ('cause, you know, it has a bunch of four and five-year-olds sitting in chairs on a stage in front of an auditorium full of SLR-wielding parents.) Opening remarks, a few songs, distribution of diplomas, and - why the hell not - a dance party.

Belting out the hits (not nearly as shy as her older sister.)

Gang signs.

. . . actually, speaking of gangs, I think it's cool that Abby got to dress up as a Blood this year, while her sister's graduating class went as Crips.

Embarrassed by something or other, who knows. . .

No idea. It's Abby.

Walking up to get her 'diplomas.'

(That's her head teacher, Ms. Vivienne.)

The graduate returns to her seat.

I'm not sure if these were printed certificates, or mere sheets of blank copy paper. Not that it matters either way, really - it's basically a prop.

(They were instructed to place the diplomas under their seat after receiving them. . . but apparently one of her classmates confused 'diplomas' with 'urine', based on the pool visible underneath the seat behind Abby's to the left.)

She was really, really proud of this 'achievement.'

Impromptu dance party, feat. Pharrell's Happy. . . 'cause mankind hasn't possibly heard that jam enough.

Abby does not appreciate her teachers' dance moves.

A photo op with all of the VPK teachers, as a courtesy to the camera-wielding masses.

Mom and Abby (and flowers.)

Ms. Mary Beth, Ms. Vivienne, and Ms. Marilyn

Not sure who this other kid is.

Yet another photobomb, courtesy of the Cannonball.

For whatever reason, Abby was not cool with idea of having a picture taken with her sister.

Mid-tantrum.

. . . so of course Alayna has to become overly-emotional about the whole ordeal. Having two girls is AWESOME.

Color-Coordinated Hough Family Picture.

Mommin'.

Filling in as my photo assistant for the afternoon.

As we made our way to our Tactical Family Transport Vehicle, Abby's teachers rushed out to say goodbye to the kids.

. . . and now we can look forward to repeating this process in twelve or thirteen years.

- Brian

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Summa Cum Laude

Today marks the end of the school year.

Thank. F***ing. God.

This year was actually pretty decent compared to some of the years I've spent 'in the trenches' at my school. 6th grade Ancient History, half of my students were gifted or honors. Pretty sweet gig. Still, it is always, always awesome kicking off two months of paid vacation - I'm not about to complain about that in the slightest.

Today also marks the end of the school year for the Cannonball. Today she graduated from VPK (some fancy term for 'pre-school'. . . not sure what the acronym technically stands for), and the ceremony was held at Hunter's Creek Elementary School, right around the corner from Sunchild. The event kicked off at 4pm, which meant Yours Truly got to skip out of work two class periods early in order to make it back to the house in time to grab the cameras and make it to the ceremony early enough to get good seats.

Oh, and did I get good seats. Kick ass seats. Front row, right in the center. Nearly got into a fistfight with a crotchety, old grandmother and her decrepit husband, but it was worth it.

Here it is - the Cannonball's Preschool Graduation.

Enjoy. . .

Roses Kris picked up for Alayna and her teachers. . .

Backstage before the ceremony with the Cannonball and her teachers, Ms. Patricia, Ms. Iris, and Ms. Kayla (meanwhile I was out in the auditorium, fighting old people for the best seats in the house).

Waiting for the ceremony to start, not hamming it up for the cameras in the slightest.

Did Kris cry a lot today? Yes. Yes she did.

Opening up with the Pledge of Allegiance. 'MURCA

Sitting through the opening statements, somewhat patiently. . .

They sang a few songs during the ceremony, all which caused most of the moms in attendance to totally lose their shit.

The Cannonball walks up to accept her diploma. I'm kinda pissed they didn't break into 'Pomp and Circumstance,' but whattaya gonna do. . .

Summa Cum Laude.

You can always tell which kid's a Hough.

Alayna spots the pink roses Kris picked out for her. . .

Abby was extremely patient throughout the duration of the ceremony. If singing and hand motions are involved, she'll sit through anything.

A brief photo op with parents after the ceremony

At final count, before I went back and edited the bejesus out of them, I ended up taking 552 pictures within a 58-minute window of time. I suppose some might call that 'excessive'. . .