Finally part 4

Of course the end of the month we had this special event going on. Our oldest graduated. We had several friends and family over for dinner before the event. Then onto the event we went. It was really very nice.

Ms. Kitty was not impressed. I don't think she's ever impressed.

The ceremony was small and the graduating class had 36. It definitely marks a turning point. I imagine I'll be able to quilt more now that home schooling is coming to a close. Or maybe I can volunteer more somewhere. I'm certain I won't be bored. Most of the pictures from the ceremony didn't turn out well so I'm hoping a friend of mine got some good shots. I'll be sure to share when I can. Have a great weekend.

Accepting the diploma

Part 3 of Where did May Go?

Our next weekend in May was spent helping to host a baby shower for my husband's brother and his wife. They had their first baby in March. The family was so excited to gather to welcome Eli. This was their little miracle. They've been married for 14 years and nothing had ever happened until now. So Welcome Eli! We had it outdoors at my mother-in-law's house. It was very nice.

Then later that week we had this event to go to.

We got to accompany Seth and a group of his senior friends to

Did you guess Grad Night at Disneyland? Can you say really exhausted? It begins at 11:00 p.m. and goes all night until 6:00 a.m. Chaperons are on call in case something happens. We mostly spent the night at the chaperon center where they fed us and visited with other chaperons from around California. It really was fun.

a better shot of the group as we were leaving the next morning. How can they look that perky? I know I didn't.

Disneyland Castle all lit up

Main Street to the happiest place on Earth
lovely lamp post decorations
just a view into Tomorrow Land
the fireworks were awesome and we had front row seats at the chaperon center. Hallelujah! No jostling among people to get a good spot to see and take pictures.
More fireworks.

Now mind you we were good chaperons and offered to stop at Denny's on the way home. So into the car we piled and headed down the freeway to home. It wasn't long and there was no noise or chatter at all coming from the back seat. I wonder why? This is why!

We tried to wake them up in the Denny's parking lot but there was no doing. They wouldn't even wake up for breakfast. So hubby and I got back on the freeway and drove the rest of the way home. It really was a great night and the group we took was an awesome bunch of kids. I think they had fun too!

What I've been up to recently involves these products. But that will have to be for another post.

Part 2 of Where did my last month go?

The next week and weekend were spent getting ready for this event. If you guessed prom then you're right. We did 16 centerpieces for each table.
If you also guessed that we hit the dollar store and used pizza pans for the bottom of the centerpieces, you're right again. Being a small school we have a very small budget. We only had $1,000 to do prom night. That also included the D.J. The colors were purple, silver and black. Purple was not an easy color for us to find for some reason.
Here they are spread out all over the front room floor.

We were supposed to be outside but the forecast kept calling for rain and the chances just kept increasing as the day went along. By 3 p.m. they still had not decided what they were going to do. Finally they decided that we could have one of the museum buildings and hold it indoors. 4 p.m. saw us finally getting ready and it was going to start at 6!! We hurriedly changed gears and decorated this room for the night. Theme: Night in Paris. One of the teachers had painted props and fake windows, another made an Eiffel tower replica, a parent donated the cake which was spectacular looking. It was not me who did the cake. Pictures are random. I tried not to include too many of the students as I didn't have parent/student permission for most of them. The kids had a great night and even the teachers said it was one of the best they had had. In case you hadn't guessed our high school is really small. We had about 50 students in attendance.

Tina on the far left and some of her friends.

a close up of the beautiful cake

Can you tell I really liked the cake?

I felt that I could share this shot because it's blurry and you can't really tell who's who.

Seth was elected prom king for our branch of the school and Maddie was elected queen.

Close up of our beautiful daughter, Tina

Shot of the sitting area. We served snack foods, water, punch and cake. Most of the students had eaten before coming.

more decorations

It really rained that night and I couldn't resist taking pictures of some of the beautiful roses outside. All and all it was a good night even if it did rain.

The next weekend was spent at a restful Christian retreat that we attend every year. It was relaxing and very uplifting.

Without the Book or how I spent my time this past month+

Our very busy month+ began with the final preparations for the production of Without the Book. Seth, Tina and the rest of the cast had worked hard since January preparing for it. April 24th and 25th were the show dates. Those last 2 weeks before the show are always so busy. There are numerous practices, last minute changes to scenes, lines and costumes. The whole last week is full costume practice every day. I am not complaining, but it is a busy time. The show was great. The pictures are not in any particular order. They're just ones I liked. Tina played Rapunzel and Seth did Robin Hood with a crazy Madagascar penguin twist. It was all hilarious. An evil sorceress has plans for taking over the fairy tales. Written and co-directed by one of the students, Thomas. Marvelous job.

Next post will continue the where oh where have I been saga. 

Love, Amanda

We have been so busy over the last month. It's been so long since I've visited anyone or blogged myself. The end of April and all of May were just filled with events and other things that had to be accomplished. I promise that I will catch up on everyone else and get my blog caught up too. I am so glad to be off for the summer. I hope to get the trim on the house painted, which is my top project this summer and several other smaller ones. The weather promises to be nice over this next week so I hope to take advantage of it. Can't wait to see what everyone else has been up to. 

Love, Amanda

Graduating the first one

 I suppose it's always sad and somewhat sweet when certain milestones are passed. Thursday, June 28th our oldest, Seth, graduated from high school. It was a lovely ceremony and of course I cried. It marks the change of so many things. Like next year I'll only be homeschooling one child for the first time ever. It means the loss of a job, not that it paid money but in so many other ways like satisfaction, time spent together, etc. Of course I'm happy for him !!! He's so ready to march out into the world and see what there is to see. So I wish him all the best as his next phase in his journey begins. We love you Seth and we're proud of you.

blog blockage

I suppose it's been so long since I've posted that Google won't let me into my blog. Is anyone else having problems?