Ian's teacher, Mrs. Brummitt, has a tradition on the last day of school. They have a big party with construction paper pirate hats, parrots, and eye patches. They have snacks, play games, and talk about what they need to be able to do before next year.


Promptly at 3pm, the kids line up in alphabetical order, in full pirate garb, and one by one, they "walk the plank" from kindergarten to first grade. She even had a helper who played the role of the crocodile who is nipping at your heels. You'd think with almost 6 years of training, I'd have this kid conditioned to look at the camera and pause for a moment while I nab the perfect shot. Nope, he lolly-gagged for a few seconds when he saw the croc, and then DARTED across he plank, nearly giving his parrot whiplash in the process. After that they were free to go if their parents were there, but we made sure to go back in and get a parting shot with his teacher before leaving school one last time as a kindergartener. Next year, it's none of this 1/2 day garbage, he'll be a full day first grader.


This year flew by for us. We dreaded sending him to 1/2 kindergarten day to begin with. We'll have our hands full with the baby, but I know I'm going to dread the first day of school even more than I did this year.


For new (photographer) parents, a tip. When your child says that they'd rather have your spouse come to an event instead of you, still pack the camera anyways, as they will change their mind at the last minute. My son made very specific plans for mommy, not daddy, to attend his pirate party, so I left the Canon at home today, charging the batteries. I sent Margaret with the Sony to try and get a couple decent shots. So with 20 minutes left in my work day, Ian is wondering if daddy is coming to the pirate party. So, I head straight over for the party. At least we HAD a camera and not the cell phone, but the pics would have been much better with the proper gear.