Gage's graduation

Yeah- I am THAT far behind.

He made it. He. Really. Made. It. I don't even want to share how close it was. It was a roller coaster of grades starting back in middle school. There were many late night projects that were due the next day. A lot of agruments about what good grades should be. Too much excitement for SNOW days. A lot of red ink on english papers. Some good and some bad parent-teacher conferences. A few band concerts. Big smiles when we got good report cards, a few sighs when they weren't. I could elaborate but the happy news is that he pulled his grades up and made a strong finish.

Larry & I are very proud and we just HAD to celebrate. Larry's parents drove down from Oak Harbor for the weekend. Gage invited some friends and the party was set! Most of the friends that came were all girls, the exceptions- James, Jared, Gage's cousin's husband, and Gage's friend's older brother.

Here are some pictures from the party. Larry did an incredible job of hosting the games and getting everyone involved. Some of the things we did included; a game where the guests had to put Gage's school pictures in order from Kindergarten to Senior yr, volleyball, egg on a spoon race, 2 team contest to see which could make a better Riverhawk (Chiawana HS Mascot), bubblegum blowing race, race to see which team could find their shoes (which were all thrown in a big pile in the middle) and put them on and tie them first, and then a group blanket game- this one each team stood on a blanket, then got off and folded it in half and had to all stand on it again.. repeat until one team couldn't fit them all on anymore. It was a blast!!

Then on to Saturday morning's ceremony!

The commencement was held at Edgar Brown Stadium. Larry went with Grandpa Gordon early to nab us some good seats. The rest of us followed shortly before the ceremony was to start. Mom, Dad, James & Jared were also able to make it and amazingly we all were able to sit together. I don't recall a lot about the speakers. Just that one of the valedictorians gave an A-Z speech, and another gave his speech in both English & Spanish- THAT was annoying.

It was super hot and we were facing the Sun, the girls were restless after about 20 minutes and I didn't think to bring any water. However, Gage was smiling as he was walking, and smiled as he got his diploma and even though I know he was super hot it his cap & gown, he was still smiling when we eventually found him after the ceremonies.