Homebodies need not apply

A busy week here at the House of Chang...Ok, a busy week for Thing Two.
Thing One kept out of the camera lens by studying for his finals (which, by the way, he is acing!  He apparently is a second semester strong finisher type student!)

 First Stop....Final Orchestra concert...

Tusen Takk to the talents of Ms. Ravnan...

 Second Stop....8th grade awards night

where yes, he was honored for his contributions to the music program...

Because, well, they don't hand out ribbons for most forgotten grammar worksheets?

And third stop....8th grade dance...

where he would be the escort for the girl next door....

Ok, if we're gonna get technical....she lives around the corner...but still...

Proud Mama?  Gee How could you tell...

Thanks to Colleen for capturing and sharing a photo of me and the younger Thing!

The Graduate that was late

Today was graduation day for the school where I work.   A graduate showed up really late today.  As in everyone had walked in, the pledge had been said, and the last bars of the national anthem were being sung.

She shows up and in my judgmental but silent voice I thought "Gee Girl, why'd you even bother?"

I was even more surprised to see an administrator and her assistant hustling around to get her chair put back in place.   Where was their scowl?

Later,  learned that this young graduate was late because first she went to our school (we have the ceremony at a local university arena, a good 30 minutes from where the school is).   It was locked up and she didn't know what to do.  

You see, this young graduate has been living in her car since her mom took off for who knows where.   This young graduate has attended 5 different high schools in 4 years following her mom and apparently this time she decided she was staying put.   Yes, even if it meant she lived out of her car until she finished up her classes and earned her credits.  

Why did she go to the school in the first place?   Seems she went there in hope of being able to take a shower in the locker room, something our administrators have been aware of and assisting with.

It breaks my heart to think of the determination it took for her to make it to graduation.   What thoughts she must have had as she raced downtown, hoping to make it in time.   And how heart warming it was to see a usual gruff-by-the-book administrative assistant smile at this young lady and hurry off to make sure a chair got placed back in her row.  

What a timely reminder for me...I may know their name (as was the case today), but that doesn't mean I know their stories.   I may have heard what she had done, but clearly I had no idea what she had been through.

Congratulation to this young graduate, and the 550 classmates that received their diplomas today!
Here's a few of my favorite photos from today's graduation...

Way to go ILC graduates!

 This young man, was one of the first to arrive...he just couldn't stop smiling the whole time...

The beauty of working in the neighborhood school, I've known this fella since he was in 1st grade!

 Twins...this young man has a heart of gold and the love he shows in helping care for his sister...

well, you'd just have to see it to believe it!

We shouldn't have favorites...but this one is one my favorite clinic visitors!  

My favorite Things

The past few weeks have just gone by in a blur.   But it's been a happy blur as the time has been spent doing some of my favorite things.

For starters, Hubby and I enjoyed a recent his-and-hers weekend.   I've mentioned this concept before, but you know, he gets to do the things that make him happy, and I head off and do my own thing.  We return rested and refreshed, ready for whatever rolls our way.

 For Hubby, he got to spend the weekend with his friend R. who was visiting from Alaska.   R and his wife took really good care of Hubby during his adventure to Alaska last year so it was nice to return that favor, even if our hosting was small by comparison to the hospitality they provided during mechanical delays last Spring.

So, while Hubby had a weekend of male bonding, I headed off to a local hotel with this gal.    Sure, it is an old picture, but that handsome fella checking out the goodies with his mama is due to graduate high school in a matter of weeks.   So we loaded up our crafting stuff and she worked at warp speed to finish up his school days album in time for the big reveal at Graduation Day.   I just provided the comic relief and encouraging words....as I've got a couple more years before that milestone reaches our doorstep.  

With little time left to bask in the glow of a weekend away, I had a party to get ready for.   One of my favorite traditions is hosting an Easter Lunch.   As you can see, I've been doing it for many years now...

 With Easter falling on 4.20, and our state being the butt of several jokes now at we've legalized marijuana,well...the Lovely Lish girls sure know how to kick it up a notch on the fun factor...

Yes,it your look closely the bunny was indeed lighting up...

No sooner had we put away the dishes from our party, was it time to shift gears for another event.  

  I sent Hubby off to the hills...

I hear they are alive with the sound of Urals this time of year...

While I remained home to get the house company ready for Grandpa's visit (Oh, don't cry for me quite yet, I've got my own girls weekend planned for June).

 A few cocktails were enjoyed

And a couple stories were told...

But the real reason for the visit was to catch the debut of 

Featuring a cast of many talented middle schoolers...

With one very special viola player making his pit orchestra debut!

So while some find rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens to be their favorite things, I have enjoyed this past month filled with friendly faces, supportive family and memorable moments!