maria's graduation day

Here's the graduate:

The ceremony was outside, though that seemed like sketchy plan with the clouds, cold, and rainy mist.

The principal spoke.

The band played.  James is there somewhere, but I can't see him.  There was quite a search for the black dress pants too, but they were finally found, right in the closet in the room.

This is afterward, the gang exiting the field.  Some lady would NOT let anyone cross the field, walk on that turf.  Pretty sure people run around on that turf constantly.  Why nobody can touch it tonight?  We don't know.

 James about froze to death, no jacket, sitting in the band.

 Here she is:

 Here's a bunch of them. Heidi took p.j. and made an exit at some freezing cold point.

And her dad wasn't here because his back is trashed. Trashed, I tell you.  He's walking like a duck, can't walk up and down in the cold or sit on bleachers.  He stayed home to cook, with Tim as his trusty sidekick.

The refrigerators are full of salads and bbq pork for sandwiches for the party tomorrow night.  Today after lunch I told b.g., "Do you know you're coming back tomorrow for a party at this house?"

He didn't know, but his eyes were wide and surprised and happy.

I named many of the people who will be here, and there will be lots of food.  "Tell your parents.  Tomorrow you have to come back for the party."

He finally asked, in his own preschool way, what the occasion was. Why the party?  I told him it was for Maria.

Well, I guess he told his parents, but couldn't remember why. Just know: Party.

Little Jay babysat those guys today.  He went over there early before they went to work and then came back here over lunch to mix it up a bit, then went home again for naps.  (Unsuccessful, btw.)  Anyway, watching him today, hugging with the baby, encouraging b.g., I mentioned to him where had he learned his fine baby-wrangling skills?

He snickered, "Mother, I've been preparing for fatherhood since I was a little child."

Probably true.

There was a time when a little brother sat on the toilet and then kicked his underwear off and Jay was searching for the turd among the bath toys.  He was so unamused.

The laughing kid on the toilet finally told him, "It's still in the underwear."

Yah. Laugh it up, Chuckles.

(He was well prepared for whatever this day of babysitting might bring.)

Anyway, on that fine reminiscent note, CONGRATULATIONS MARIA.  You've done did it, and the future is all yours.

love you forever, MOM and DAD