High School Graduate

I don't know why this one's been so difficult to write out. It was a fast and emotional day, much like my wedding day. A streak of memories all wrapped up into a few short hours, time needed to process and reflect. Saturday was busy spent prepping the last of the food for Sunday's big event. And Sunday morning prepping 5 people to be out the door by 12:30. I also had a few things to run out for. Batteries for the camera. Ice for the cooler. And a few grad balloons- I was only able to get one, the other two were silver stars. But I was lucky beyond belief to get the one I did- there was only one left in the entire store. It was float on the ceiling, no string attached and half deflated- the man at the register had to use a pole with tape on the end to get it down and then re-inflated it and attached a string for me. It was meant to be for her!

 (sorry about the bad quality- there was only so much that I could do, it was just too dark and too far for any really good shots.)

She was required to be at the school at 1pm- an hour before the ceremony, to be fitted for her cap and gown. And parents weren't allowed. (A great pic moment lost.) We waited as patiently as possible- O doing exceptionally well, and C well not so much. (DH spent most of the hour before hand with him in the car, trying to get him to doze off, even if just for a few minutes. Finally he dozed but only with DH's help of rocking him in a giant bear hug. DH was able to sneak back in with a sleeping C, but C awoke crying within the first 15 minutes of the ceremony. And DH and C snuck out of the auditorium to watch from the door.) We took up a whole row of seats.

 (with DH)

The Head of the school was supposed to make the opening speech but couldn't make it that day. So it went straight into the kids' chosen staff member's speech- the high school counselor. He spoke about where they all came from and where they were going. Next the student speaker, and her speech it home to me.

(She and I)

R attended an online school, getting away from the traditional brick and mortar, her teachers and classmates spread out across the state. All classes instructed from web cams and live lessons. The students only meeting for an occasional school social event, but mostly making friends by chat. The student speaker touched on how she was asked often "But you never really meet these people?" and "How can they really be your friends?" The biggie "But you don't really socialize?!" She spoke of how just because she doesn't get to hang out or "socialize" in real life with her friends from school that doesn't make them any less of her friends, or that she isn't any less likely to remain friends with them in the future. But that how this experience has helped her grow and taught her how to be more open to socializing with many different people, in many different senses. That they, the students, are enriched by the whole experience. (I know this feeling, have experienced it myself- how online friends can turn into more than just computer buddies, how they can be just as close, and closer, than any friend in real life. You have to put more effort and energy into those relationships but the end result is amazing!)

(Mingling) 

After her speech, they walked! With less than 100 students graduating (yes it was just because it was That small of a class- and also because the distance many live from the city made it hard for others to attend.) the walk only took 15 minutes. Then they were certified and were truly graduates.

(Cutting cake w/sister A, on dad's side)

The hallway outside was a zoo- so many families, grads and friends, we got a few photos and made our way to my mom's for her party. We expected up to 100 people (she has a lot of friends and support people.) but probably only between 40 and 50 came. It was just enough to make it personal but enough also to show her how special this is and encourage her to keep going. Lots of food was served and lots of photos were taken. She was a star.

(Social Butterfly)

I think the lowest point for her came 2 hours before the ceremony, when she received a message via FB from her father telling her he wouldn't be making it (church and work were more of a priority- I am not saying either isn't but as any parent would feel, your child's graduation is, and will always be, first priority.). She handled it well and with truth, not letting it ruin her day. She held her head high and proud.

(The Grad!)

Just another reason to be proud of her and how far she's come and grown. I love that girl!
                                                                                                                                                                   
The stats were against her.

• "Children of teen parents are 50% more likely to repeat a grade and are less likely to graduate from high school than children of older parents ³."
• "Only 77% of children born to teen parents will receive a high school diploma compared to 89% of children born to older parents ⁴."
   
  
  
  But she did it and now goes on to the next chapter- college. A private all girls school- her choice school, where she'll be living on campus and moving towards her next goal, a special education teacher.
  
  
  
  
  

  

  (She did it!)

Sneak Peak/ Grad Post Coming

Here's just a sneak peak of R's Graduation- full post to come!

Prom

Last Friday my oldest R had prom. I was excited. She was excited. She had planned to go over to a friends house to get ready....I put a stop to that! LOL I never got to go to prom and having recently watched a few episodes on tv about prom I wanted her here- it was a first for both of us and I wanted to capture the memories, on film and in my head. I got to help her with her hair, dress and make-up and experience the rush of  "Oh no what times is it?!" I love that over the last few years we've come to such a different place, a place of a budding relationship we never had before- I love what I have now with her, I love spending time with her and being able to actually talk with her. I miss her when she's not here.

But we did it and she looked like Cinderella. (Thanks to a friend she was able to wear a beautiful dress!) A few pics I was able to capture of her. (Oh in real life the dress is purple- but on film it comes out this blue. Couldn't for the life of me get the ture color to shine thru!) And as prom was held on a river boat on the Misssissippi (again this river is an improtant center piece of our lives) she set SAIL that night.

Girls Day Out #2

Easter Sunday I got the chance to spend time again with my daughters- again it was only two but the oldest and the middle traded. It's wonderful to be able to spend this female time with them. I growing closer to them each and learning little cues that normally in our busy everyday life I may miss.

This week we simply went for a walk in our neighborhood. There's this awesome bike/walking path the city built in the "trench" of an old railroad tracks. It stretches from one end of the city to the other (no we didn't walk the whole way- we'd never make it! lol) with community gardens along the sides. At the end of our walk we were at 2 of the lakes are known here as the chain of lakes (6, I think, lakes that stretch the south side of the city, connected by channels/canals) and explored a different corner of one, that we'd never took much of an interest in before. We found off-leash dog runs (I was in heaven as dogs of any sort call to her) and many Willow trees (these are especially important to me- a tie, if you may, to my Grandfather).

This was a long walk and we won't probably do it often- I got a little too tired at the end. But on this day we had a good time and for the first time since the previous Sunday we had beautiful weather (SUN!)- the Gods were smiling on us. We must be doing something right!

(Mural on the underpass of bridge)

(Garden long path)

(Underside of bridge)

(Girls under Bridge)

(A view of a channel into Lake of the Isles)

(Girls galzing into channel- beyond them Lake Calhoun)

(:D)

(I stalking the dogs at the dog runn- all she could talk about today were dogs, Collie Mixes are her favorite.)

(I under a Willow on the edge of Lake of the Isles- she could've sat there all day.)

(My sacred tree.)

(Don't know what he's riding- looked like a surf board w/a paddle.)

(Goofy R- the Moose Girl.)

(Snoopy's Lucy)

(I know this is random- but the city is doing work on the bridges and if you notice the sign to the right you see it says "Walk Bikes"- it's very narrow over this bridge, like 2 people walking next to each other would have a hard time fitting, so if people ride it creates a dangerous situation. As you probably guess NO one walked their bikes and as walkers we almost felt the need to run to stay safe. And of course nobody tried to cross while I was taking the photo! LOL)

P's Photos #1

P's Photos from our 1st Girls' Day Out! Love her eye!