2 Graduates! Middle school and high school -June 18, 2008

I had 2 graduations yesterday --my 8th grader Hank graduated from Middle school and Andrew from High school --in between, my parents took us to lunch and visited so it was a busy day -and we went out to dinner after and didn't get home til 11. Hank played the trumpet for his 9 a.m. ceremony so he sat in the front, which didn't thrill him as the Principal kept yelling at the boys not to slotch and to smile and sit up straight! After giving out special awards, the Principal handed out diplomas to all 8th graders and we had a reception in the courtyard, where I thoroughly embarrassed Hank by taking lots of photos. His grandmother came also, all the way from Paris! (She is headed to Vermont with my step father-in-law). Hard to believe that my almost 14 year old will be headed to high school next year. Then, at 3 p.m. the high school announced that Graduation would be inside the gym (and it did pour rain at 7:30 p.m.)! so we only had 3 tickets --I would have to sneak all the grandparents in --everyone else was in the same boat. I dropped off Andrew at 6:15 with his cap and gown and went to pick up my parents from their small hotel at the top of Greenwich ave. -we walked down the hill to the high school...it was a mob scene but fun and festive (i had to pull some strings to get 6 people in). All the seniors came in to traditional music and Andrew said it was like being a Star with all the parents standing up front taking photos. The speakers were great, then diplomas were handed out --I stood with running friend Hugo Mrjica who was watching his boss's daughter graduate (how did he get in, anyway???). Finally at 9 p.m. all the diplomas had been handed out and the seniors tossed their caps in the air!!!
High school was officially over. The speaker, who is a GHS graduate and famous film producer (Jason hackman) said to follow your passion and find something you are excited about and love to do, and pursue it. and out we went to take more photos!