awww. how do they grow up so fast? last night my little man graduated from pre-school. it was quite possibly the most exciting pre-school program i've ever attended.

the event was held in the fire station. about halfway through the songs, the sirens all went off. some firemen were in attendance, and all their walkie talkies started chattering about a tornado. the kids kept on singing over the siren blast, until a fireman told us that a tornado was spotted 7 miles south and was heading our way.

um. yeah.

the ensuing chaos included my son not wanting to leave his graduation ceremony without a balloon or a cookie. someone snapped a helium balloon loose for us and handed it to me as we raced for the door, grabbing some cookies and a "diploma" along the way. it was raining hard, hailing and lightnening... and as i reached for the car door, the red balloon escaped and flew off to "get destroyed by the tornado."

not good.

we hauled butt home with little man crying all the way. partly about his balloon, but mostly cuz it was scary.

the husband asked big j to help his brother feel better. he said simply, "well, actually dad, i'm a little frightened too...."

the storm blew over and we got to eat the soggy cookies. as you can imagine, little j has been talking about tornadoes all day long.

i told him not to worry. it's supposed to SNOW again tomorrow, and tornadoes never mix with snow.

but knowing this spring, they probably will.

sigh.