Celebrating, Graduate Style

As you can see, last week was busy! And fun, of course! Through all that though, we planned a party in Kristen's honor to celebrate her achievement. We decided to have it at the church her dad attends so everyone she loves would feel comfortable coming. It was a great idea! They have a picnic shelter, the best playground ever, and a cool sand volleyball court so there was something for everyone! Her friends and family drifted in and out throughout the afternoon congratulating her. It was wonderful to see everyone! We had a really good time!

We were really hoping for a sunny day (it was supposed to rain) and the weather couldn't have been better! Sunny and breezy...very nice! Actually, it was down right windy but although it made a few things a challenge (like keeping your plate from blowing away!) it kept the temperature very comfortable under the shelter.

Her cake was three sheet cakes put together! There were these little silver tiaras scalloped all around the edge that you can't see...very cute!
There was TONS of food! Kristen's stepmom, Sandy, and I did the cooking (except the potato salad...thanks Mom!).
The party gets started!
My mom gave Kristen a picture frame that had a picture of the three of us; my mom, me, and Kristen, all during our senior year. How cool is that?!?
More partying :)
The super-fun playground:

A rousing couple of games of volleyball:
That's my hubby serving in that one :)

A couple more shots of the graduate:
Here with her grandparents.
And getting cake ready for her guests. She's a good hostess :)

There was so much cooking and preparing to be done that week. Kristen's job was brownies so she recruited her little sister to help with that :)
I forgot to take a picture of all the chocolate on their mouths ;)

It was a great day and such a meaningful celebration!

Kristen's Graduation

My baby in her cap and gown!


It was a lovely ceremony! Here are some pictures!

Here they are before the ceremony for the group picture:

Hanging out with a few friends (and Mom;)) before.
Here's one of Kristen as all the seniors filed in to the ceremony:
I didn't get any of the diploma part as I was on the stage giving it to her ;)

The "turning of the tassels" (her hand is in front of her face lol).
We went out for dinner afterward with some friends, so fun!

Congratulations Kristen! You are such a blessing to your family! We are so proud of you!

Tomorrow...

Tomorrow is the big day! The parents of one of our homeschool co-ops organize a graduation ceremony for the seniors. It's really sweet and personalized just like everything homeschooling :) Since the students are actually graduating from their own homeschools (not the co-op), each diploma is personalized with the school name of our own school and the parents sign the bottom. During the ceremony, the parents will go on stage with their child and present the diploma while a mini-bio is being read. There are also a few senior performances, speakers, a commencement address...and prayer. I'm so thankful for that part.

Kristen went to school for the first four years. In the first grade, she came home one day and said, "Mom, did you know some kids are homeschooled?" I said, "Yes." She said, "Why can't I be homeschooled?"

It was very hard to explain to a six year old that I just didn't think I could do a good enough job. I didn't think I had the patience either :) I stuck to my guns though and she went all through elementary school.

Middle school was different though. After Todd and I attended a meeting for parents of fourth-graders in preparation for going to the middle school, I really started thinking about homeschooling more seriously. I'm so very glad I did. I wish I had prayerfully considered it sooner. Once I let God help with that big decision, there was no doubt in my mind what I was going to do;) Homeschooling these precious, wonderful kids has been the best thing I've ever done! This is truly a blessing.

Tomorrow is a happy and sad day. I'm so excited for Kristen! She's worked so hard! And believe me she is so ready to go on to the next stage of her life ;) But although I'm happy I can't say it won't be a little difficult. This has been a journey and now part of it is over...changed. I'll have a part in her new journey too, but not quite the same part. I'm so, so glad she plans to continue to live at home and go to a local college. I think she would miss us too much ;)

The really strange part is how much of my life will go on just the same. There are still kids to school and all the lovely chores to do! It's really an odd feeling.

Here are some pictures from tonight's rehearsal:

Check out that smile!

The "seniors" section.
She's on the left in the back.

Looking forward to tomorrow :)

Spring Dance

I know...you thought I'd call this post "Last Dance", didn't ya? No way will this be that girl's last dance! Last CO-OP dance maybe, but she has many more opportunities for dancing in her future ;) I just want to say that I'm so glad for the friends she met at co-op. A high school dance is usually very different from the ones we've experienced with this group of people. For one thing, there's lots of parents floating around! I know, you'd think that's weird, but the kids are so used to having parents around that they really don't care. I love that. I asked Kristen if she wanted me to go again this year and she said yes! Really, I think her favorite part is I take lots of pictures ;) It's pretty funny to see all the parents walking around taking pictures there lol.

Also, for the most part, I trust these kids. They're a good group. When your graduating class is 34 it's easy to know everyone! I also know alot of their parents too ;)

When I was taking the pictures at home today she said, "Are you going to put this on your blog?" Duh. So here they are:
Kristen's senior class:
Um do we know him?? Yes, yes we do.
Good friends:

Last Showcase

As I posted earlier, tonight was Kristen's last showcase. It's always a great show. There's a couple of theater performances and lots of songs that the sign language classes perform which is the most beautiful thing! It was bittersweet for both of us as I, too, will miss some people. But we had a great time! There's always an "after-party" so, for tonight, one of the co-op parents had arranged for CiCi's pizza to stay open late for us!

The choir is the only thing Kristen does that performs. She's been in it since we started four years ago and has loved every minute! The teacher is magnificent and the choir is huge so getting up in front of people is less intimidating that way ;) Here's my baby:
I cropped it so you all can find her ;) She in a light blue dress with a white sweater:
With some friends waiting:
The natives were restless:
Megan is playing her "air piano". She's REALLY good ;)

After with Grandma Diana:
And with some of the rest of us:
Best friends:

Her BIGGEST fans:
We love you, Kristen!

A Month of "Lasts"

Today is Kristen's last day of co-op and tonight is her last showcase...ever. It's so hard for me to believe we've been home schooling for 8 years! The time has really flown. No tears here...I'm saving that for her graduation ceremony ;)

In the beginning, I was very hands-on with her work. She was only in the fifth grade! That's the grade Brandon is in now! But through her high school years, I've slowly been giving her the reins in preparation for college. She actually just took them lol ;) This year, all I've done is pick her curriculum (with her input), and check in with her from time to time to make sure she's on track. She's all done with school after today except her Latin II which she'll finish up next week. I'm so proud of the way she's handled her time this year! She's very independent and hard working. I know she'll do well in college. Did I just say college? ugh

She has mixed feelings about today. She's so excited about the next phase of her life, but also sad to leave some of it behind. I get that. Completely. Ok there may be a few tears today...