Another Graduate!

Last evening, we saw Maria graduate with the Class of 2010 of South Christian High School. The sky was perfect after the ceremony was over - fitting for the sunset of their high school days! I took over 200 photos for Maria to remember these days and put some of them here.

Bridget had the honor of playing Pomp and Circumstance with the orchestra the way Maria had done for Edward.

A happy time, an ending and a new beginning all rolled into one evening!

Flashback Friday 163

Maria, First day of kindergarten, 1997

Maria, Graduation eve, 2010

Love Thursday

Beauty seen is never lost...

...God's colors all are fast. - John Greenleaf Whittier

Loving this Green Earth

So much chirping and tweeting and buzzing for a little cat to behold...

...and such green to soak in the garden...

If I keep a green bough in my heart, then the singing bird will come.

-Chinese Proverb

An Edward Post...

Edward and one of his classmates, Reid went to Zeeland in the Netherlands this past weekend. He told us they were going to stay with their Calvin host family. Anne was a graduate of Calvin College and was connected to Edward & Reid through their professor. Her husband is a runner and did a 9 mile run with Edward. He looks right at home there, doesn't he?

Photo by Reid V.

They also went for a little swim in the North Sea!

Blessed!

This past weekend, we celebrated the high school graduation of Maria and her friend Marie with an open house/party. The actual ceremony is later this week. They have been friends since first grade and we enjoyed ice cream sundaes, a keg of rootbeer and a chocolate cake with chocolate mousse filling. There were also plenty of M&M's for Maria & Marie.

The girls were given well wishes from many, many friends and relatives. And to add to the fun, my sisters Marianna & Paula came with their daughters Paige & Tiffany!

Opa & Grandma also came to wish her well! They enjoyed a spot in the shade - the afternoon turned out to be mid 80's and sunny!

Flash Back Friday 162

First Days of School, 1997-2009

This exercise, when done when your child is about to graduate, is sure to bring tears to your eyes.

Love Thursday

Love this pic! Love this girl!

Persuasion

Bridget got a chance to do some acting in the midst of the busy end of year happenings. John and I went this past Friday night to see the girls in the play Persuasion at SCHS.



I took this one right after she said in her role as Henrietta, "I want my mother!" Epic.


Maria played the role of Mrs. Clay (in the gray dress):



Bravo!

The Ever-Frameable Nellies

Maria & Bridget, May 2010

Flash Back Friday 161

Next Sunday, these 2 will be having their graduation open house together!


Maria & Marie, 1st grade, March 1999


Maria & Marie, April 2010 (photo by their friend Trudy)

Love Thursday

Mary Poppinses fly off to prom...

...and the guys just look on.

BFF's Laughing in the Rain on Prom Night

These always make me laugh...

What's a Little Rain?

I thought it was so sweet how these 2 boys got matching umbrellas when they saw the forecast of rain on prom night. It made for very nice photo opps.




Maria obviously approved.

Prom Weekend

Friday night, Maria went with a group of 12 friends to the prom at South Christian High School.

Since the group consists of many thespians, it wasn't difficult to get fun poses out of them.

I did manage a more traditional one with her date, Tyler.

Stay tuned for seriously fun pix to come.

Photo Shoot with Cameron Diaz

Not really. I always used to joke around with Jessica that she reminded me of her! Anyway, I have known her for many years... she's the niece of my neighbor and lived in our neighborhood. Now she is about to graduate from Calvin with a nursing degree and she asked if would take some photos of her as a surprise for her Mom! We met at Calvin this past week and I was happy to see the tulips were still looking good. Here are a few:

Calvin has so many good settings but I thought this one with the tulips and the science building in the background was perfect for a nursing graduate. Click here to see the rest!

Oh yes, and her boyfriend Jonathan came along too which worked out perfectly since he could hold stuff for me :) Good guy AND he's an engineering major at Calvin!

Flash Back Friday 160

Maria, First Day of Kindergarten, 1997

Counting down the days to graduation!!!

Love Thursday

Sister love

Yesterday, I announced that I needed a photo for love thursday! The awesome loving thing is the girls hopped right up to humor me. Thanks girls.

Senior Art Show

Maria with her recent art work

It's hard to believe Maria's Senior year at South Christian High School is winding down! Last evening, we went to see her exhibit in the Senior Art Show. I am excited to see her develop this gift in the years ahead.