That's right.  Santa Clause and Frosty the Snowman visited Piedmont Elementary's Wildcat Wakeup!  You can imagine how excited those kids were.  Most certainly the younger grades.  I really enjoyed it too.  It's a rare opportunity I get a morning off to go watch Wildcat Wakeup.  If you've got a kid going to school there, you really should check it out.  They really do a great job keeping those kids in order while letting them still have a great time.  I especially love when Principal Shari Zimmerman says "Piedmont" and the kids respond with "Wildcats", then they all say "Piedmont Wildcat Pride". 

Then, of course, there's the Pledge to the American flag, the pledge to the Oklahoma state flag (struggle on that one), and the Star Spangled Banner (one of my favorites).  It's great, ya know?  You immediately feel like you're back in those innocent days of early education.  Feeling pride in yourself and others. 

I also like when they recognize the kids in the school who achieved some accomplishment.  One in particular that my son worked really hard for over a few weeks is Mini Facts Masters.  It's a recognized accomplishment achieved by completing quite a few addition and subtraction problems in 10 minutes in their class room.  If they do it there, they get to go to the cafeteria to try and make it under 10 there.  If they do that, they are considered a Mini Facts Master and get recognized in the Wildcat Wakeup assembly.  If I didn't go through this great experience with Alec (a lot of timers set on the microwave during practice time), I don't know that I could have appreciated how hard these kids worked. What I loved most about this was that Alec went after this on his own.  Teacher inspiration... gotta love it!  Way to go Piedmont!

I was invited out to take photos of the event because of the special guests that were to arrive at the end of the event.  And wow!  Did Santa and Frosty make an appearance!  Santa is always a huge hit for the kids.  He even brought some elves with him to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.  He certainly got  a warm reception.  Frosty joined right along in the festivities and turned out to be quite entertaining.  With a pip in his step, he skipped out to remind all the kids how much fun winter can bring.  They both did a wonderful job!  A great kick off to the holidays ahead.  Thanks!

Like I said, it's worth taking a little extra time getting into work one morning to stop by and just take in this experience with your kid.  It starts around 8:30 and lasts about 30 minutes depending on how many recognitions they have to give.  They do it in the gym next to the Piedmont Elementary school, and you can just set up in the bleachers and watch (I went once before and they did it in the school, but there were chairs set out for parents to watch).  Best to sign in at the office as a visitor first though.  I always do.  See more photos from the December 19th Piedmont Elementary Wildcat Wakeup.

Maybe I'll see you there some time. 

Happy holidays to everyone!  I hope the new year brings you another wonderful year of happiness in your life. 

Take care!
Mike