When you have children and grandchildren, you do not really need to live your own life. Instead, you can live their lives vicariously. You are with them as they suffer their lows and their disappointments and equally you are with them when they achieve special things - their highs, their moments of joy.
Above, that's a picture of our son Ian, taken this very afternoon. He successfully completed an ultra-marathon, running (and walking) fifty kilometres from Wantage, Oxfordshire to Avebury in Wiltshire in an event called "Race for The Stones". Most of the way, competitors ran along an ancient track called The Ridgeway.
Shirley and I were quite concerned about this event as it happened to fall upon one of the hottest weekends of the year. However, all was fine. Ian set off at 5am in an early morning mist that hung about till around 7am before being burnt off by hot sunshine. He approached it all sensibly, taking advantage of aid stations along the way and he was buzzing at the end.
In Great Britain, it used to be that graduation ceremonies only happened in universities. However, probably owing to American influence, our secondary and primary schools picked up on the idea of graduation ceremonies for younger students too.
Yesterday, there was even a graduation ceremony at our oldest granddaughter's nursery school. Phoebe has been in attendance there for almost three years but now she only has a handful of weeks left before moving on to the local primary school.
The video of the ceremony made me laugh when I saw Phoebe literally skipping to the stage. That doesn't usually happen at university graduation ceremonies.
Look how grown-up Phoebe looks!!! Unbelievable. We also have kindergarten "graduation" at our school when the 5 year olds finish the year and are getting ready to move on to first grade. They're adorable in their little caps and gowns! It's silly, but cute.
ReplyDeleteAnd Ian--wow! Just wow! Good for him!
You have followed Phoebe all the way Jennifer and of course I still remember the books you sent her - so kind. You have been a small part of her life.
DeleteMuch doings in the Pudding family! Proud, sweet Miss Phoebe is moving on up.
ReplyDeleteRecently she has been so very happy. It is quite infectious.
DeleteCongratulations to Ian. That's an impressive accomplishment! And congratulations to Phoebe on her preschool graduation! Our youngest grandchild had a graduation for Pre-K3, Pre-K4, and Kindergarten. Surely there won't be another until he reaches Middle School (or whatever they call it here now). It's all so different from when I was growing up. Phoebe looks so proud. 😊
ReplyDeleteMaybe there should be graduation ceremonies for adults when they reach retirement age.
DeleteThere definitely should!
DeleteI think she knows what's going on and loves it. The more we can show kids that they are successful the better.
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher, I always believed in giving positive stokes where possible.
DeleteCongrats to both Ian and Phoebe!
ReplyDeleteThey will be so delighted to receive cheers from Edmonton. Thank you.
DeleteYour family lives a philosophy of personal growth. Inspiring at any age :)
ReplyDeleteExcept when the growth is round the waistline!
DeleteLovely photo of Phoebe looking so sweet and Ian flushed with pride after his long run. I know The Ridgeway so well and it must have been very hot on the run. But I have certain reservations about achievement goals, especially for little ones but that is perhaps just me. A wonderful day for both.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Phoebe four years old? What age do they start primary school there? Would she be in the kindergarten class? When my oldest began school the lowest classes were called kindergarten and the kids were five. After we moved to a different state, my second went to kindergarten at age four, but it was separate from the school, which still had kids starting at five. In yet another state (Army husband lots of moving) the first school year was called "Reception" and the kids were five.
ReplyDeleteWell done Ian!
Are you German? "Kindergarten" is a German word. We do not use it much in England. Pre-school is nursery and the first year at primary school is called "reception".
DeleteCongratulations to all. It is good to see one's family thriving and to share in their happiness.
ReplyDeleteMakes it easy to bear my health issues.
DeleteWell done Ian, and doesn't Phoebe look so grown up and proud!
ReplyDeleteShe has been so happy these last few weeks. It is quite infectious.
DeleteThat was a very good effort by Ian, especially without meat to fuel him. Sorry. Children really seem to enjoy their small ceremonies, and receiving certificates. The best I can remember is a gold, silver or green star on my work.
ReplyDeleteIan's running is a good advert for veganism. I imagine that when you were at school Andrew - you had to stand in the corner quite a lot.
DeleteI did not. I was an angel.
DeleteIt was nice to watch our grand daughter, they all sang together, and you get the lovely photo. She does look confident and happy.
ReplyDeleteI wish that Shirley and I could have been there but no grandparents were allowed because of numbers.
DeleteNo children or grandchildren of my own, I'm not feeling quite updated when it comes to graduation ceremonies (or not) for the very youngest here these days...
ReplyDeleteI bet Sweden has also adopted graduation ceremonies for the very youngest.
DeleteWell done, Ian. What an achievement. Was the run for charity?
ReplyDeleteNot this time. The challenge was all.
DeleteShortly to be introduced at a university near you.
ReplyDeleteDon't you mean Shortbread?
DeletePhoebe is absolutely precious in that photo. And congratulations to Ian!
ReplyDeleteThank you Michael. Very kind.
DeleteCongratulations to Ian - what an achievement.
ReplyDeleteMay Phoebe's graduation be the first of many.
Thank you Janice. Appreciated.
DeleteCongrats to Phoebe and Ian for both finishing their races!
ReplyDeleteThank you Robert.
DeleteCongratulations all around!
ReplyDeleteIan's achievement is all the more impressive considering the hot weather, but as you say, his approach was very sensible. Over-estimating one's own abilities and underestimating conditions only too often leads to serious health problems or even death, as has happened at the Stuttgart City Run some years ago (and that's only 10k).
Phoebe's happiness radiates from the picture! I wish her all the best for the transition to primary school. Backed up by so much love from her entire family, she has the best start possible.
I have often told her how many people love her. She has been so very happy in recent weeks. Loving life.
DeleteSo much to celebrate. You seem to be in a very kind mood the past couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteWas I in a really mean mood before?
DeleteYou haven't lived until you've been to a preschool graduation so large that it had to be held in a big church with hundreds of parents, grandparents, and siblings in attendance.
ReplyDeleteThat is one thing I am grateful I'll never be doing again.
Ian is really kicking ass in the marathons! And Phoebe is adorable.
It used to be that learners just slipped away without fuss.
DeleteCongrats to Ian. Glad he made it safely through.
ReplyDeleteSweet photo of Phoebe. Hope she always enjoys school.
I hope she enjoys school as much as she currently enjoys "Paw Patrol"!
DeleteTrue words.
ReplyDeleteI sure hope Phoebe skips at her university grad too.
Will she go to university? All that debt and in twenty years time what will the world of work look like?
DeleteCongratulations to Phoebe! Before you blame the Americans for the excesses of school graduation ceremonies, let me just say that when I went to school (in America, obviously), the only graduation ceremony I had was from high school. And I'm not THAT old. There was no kindergarten graduation, no elementary school graduation, no middle school graduation. We have all those things now at the school where I work, which I think is a little crazy.
ReplyDeleteI blame The Americans for everything - including BREXIT and COVID 19. You're almost British now Steve!
DeleteCongratulations are certainly in order. We had a ceremony at the end of each year at grammar school when everyone who left graduated and for those who stayed on it was simply called 'Prizegiving'.
ReplyDeleteGood point! I won the school Art prize.
Delete