A Milestone for KJ...and for Mom

KJ graduated from grade 8 on Thursday or rather I should say she graduated to highschool. Entering Highschool and enjoying the freedom and Independence it promises has been a driving force for KJ especially during those arduous math classes.

In preparation for Graduation (here on referred to as "the Event") KJ and I skipped off school and work last Friday for a day at the mall. Did I say mall, as in singular? I misspoke. I should have said 'every single retail establishment within 100 km of our home!' We searched for a dress, found a dress then searched every other location for said dress in the correct size, settled for a very beautiful dress, ate lunch (do mall fries count as lunch?) searched for shoes, searched for shoes, and searched for shoes, we found shoes, we thanked the nice lady for ringing us through after the store closing. We arrived home just before 10pm where the rest of life was waiting to be cared for. I was proud that I had survived 12 hours of shopping without a single tantrum! (KJ was pleased too, those moments are so embarrassing for her.)

Event shopping complete, KJ packed her bags and was off to Ottawa for 3 days for some year end celebration and relaxing with her classmates. Those poor teachers returned visibly exhausted! That made "the Event," on the day following their return, easy I would imagine. A little fuel to get these kids out of their hair for good!

KJ with big sis Lula and Little Bro E-man

Event day arrived and KJ had the entire afternoon to prepare. She painted her nails and arranged for her cousin to pop by to curl up her hair. She was beautiful and ready on time (strange for a kid who is perpetually late for everything) I finished pressing her dress and helped her with her final details, then she was off to to school with her BFF. Giving me time to get ready myself.

Before she left she leaned in close to me and said "Promise you won't cry." she remembers Lula's Event, at which I was crying. KJ is not big on public displays of emotion, so I promised. I wasn't sure how I was going to manage it... but it was important to her, so I promised.

I did really well. I watched with dry eyes as the kids entered to gymnasium. Although when the procession music started our entire row looked directly at me and I heard Lula inquire "Is she crying yet?"  I listened with dry eyes as various teachers gave speeches on the accomplishments of the graduating class and the promise of their exciting futures. A sideways glance from Mike every once in a while to check on my progress. I was surprising everyone, mostly myself actually!

KJ & Dad

Then they started recognising students for special achievements. They began calling to the stage, the 10 students being honored with the Citizenship Award and there was my KJ's name! I looked at Mike (which I shouldn't have done.) his eyes reflected what I felt in my heart...Tremendous pride! I choked a little there but I quickly regained my composure. Reminding myself that if my daughter can demonstrate excellence in upholding the four pillars of Citizenship; Respect, Leadership, Academics and Teamwork, I could find the strength to suppress my emotions as requested. I did it! It was not easy, that was a curve ball neither one of us knew was coming!

I held it together while she crossed the stage later in the ceremony to collect her diploma and I held it together through the video highlight montage. I successfully exited the gymnasium with my kleenex still tucked carefully, accessibly and dry in my pocket.

Outside we located KJ and I hugged her, congratulated her and told her how proud I am. I did it all and a tear never escaped my eye!

We left her at the school for her dance as we returned home, a heart filled with pride and a head filled with the intense inter cranial pressure of uncried tears.

So I did well, better than I imagined actually. I've managed to write this entire post with only 1 box of tissues!

Mom & Dad with the Graduate!

Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Caught Up in June Blur!

June has begun! Anyone who has school age children knows that June is filled to capacity with scheduling.

If you've been missing posts from me....here is why....

In these 30 days we will...

• Prepare E-man for his talent show comedy routine
• Send KJ on a 3 day excursion to our Nation's Capital
• Attend a local gallery to celebrate 2 pieces of surrealism by Lula
• Find and return all outstanding school library books
• Study for exams
• Find a graduation dress
• Complete highschool summatives
• Find shoes to match a graduation dress
• Remember to dress appropriately for 3 separate field trips
• Attend graduation
• Find awesome end of the year teachers appreciation gifts
• Attend a talent show
• Negotiate summer supervision routines

These are the HAVE TO's on top of work and our normal daily routines

We're also trying to squeeze in

• Motorcycle lessons
• Berry picking and jam making
• Preparing for a teenager to drive
• Gardening
• Father's Day
• Summer Clothes shopping
• and Doctor's appointments

Should be an easy feat! If you happen to read some peculiar postings in The Space or Smothered in Butter, if you come upon a tweet that seems to be twittered in tongues, if you struggle to make sense of my Facebook status on any given day in the next 30....I'll warn you now that I don't handle sleep deprivation well. I tend to loose focus and clarity, my all ready off beat humor follows a vein of greater off-beated-ness. I opt to laugh my way through chaos....

The remaining days of June might be a little challenging to follow but I'd be ever so grateful if you continued on anyway. I have a feeling I'm going to require some encouragement!

Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!



Is This Thing On???

Today's gratitude is inspired by my young E-man. It's a request actually and he will be incredibly grateful for your help.

The year end school talent show is looming and every year E-man is determined to participate. The only problem we generally encounter is the logistical confines of bringing a skating rink or a skateboard park in for his performance. He's not yet been able to join the ranks of performers.

This year however he has a plan...he's going to build on his natural sense of humor and perform a stand-up comedy routine.

suprised?

This is where he is asking for help. There is a need for fresh material. 'G' rated school based humor preferably, it is public school after all and I still need to show my face around the halls for another 3 years. I'd like him to graduate grade 6 unscathed and preferably before he turns 30.

With enough time to perfect a routine and some new material that does not contain to word "fart" he'll have them rolling in the aisles.

So go ahead...give us what you got! Could I ask also, that while you are on your knees digging that joke book out of the cupboard, that you say a little prayer for me? Something along the lines of "Lord, please save my friend from public humiliation at the hands of her son." (have you ever met a comic who didn't make fun of his parents?)

Spend some moment everyday in reflection of gratitude and happiness. Even if the time found is standing in line for coffee...use is wisely.


Michelle


Did this post brighten your day? make you smile? If so I'd be ever so grateful if you shared it on Facebook or Twitter. Someone else might be in need of a smile - Thanks!

Cross That Bridge When You Get to It.

If you were to walk into my kitchen right now and set your sights on the table you would be staring right into the very abyss that has swallowed my last nerve.


"My last nerve" I say that all the time in my parenting life. It flys from my lips as my children engage in vocal warfare "Knock it off...I'm down to my last nerve!" The child who incesantly pleads for the latest toy or begs merciously for a grounding reprieve hears "I've got one nerve left and you're standing on it!" (that's a warning shot). At some point during teenage PMS week I usually declare "That's it! my nerves are shot!" I'm not going to lie, there have been nights when I curl up in Michael's arms and cry "My nerves can't take any more."


There are a hundred events capable of bringing me to my knees and finding me resorting to the "Nervous" phrase. No single event however has greater power than