I got this idea from a charter school in Tucson. Each semester they hand out a balloon to each honor student and the kids just love it. Last Friday at our homeschool club activity we handed out balloons to the children. Each parent came forward and gave an introduction for each child, explaining what the child had accomplished during the school year. Each child was presented a certificate and a helium balloon. It was a special day and met a need for public recognition that home educated children rarely receive.
I gave Mark a certificate for being an early reader. His balloon (not pictured) is red, of course.