Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Graduation!



I wish I had a better photo of this -- and that I could get one with him smiling.... but that just didn't happen.

Son #1 is officially a graduate of Middle School and can now call himself a freshman in High school.

Yikes!

Not for him, but for me... Congrats to him though. 

(in one of those grumpy asides -- the principal, at the start of the ceremony, asked if parents would not SHOUT or WHISTLE or use HORNS as the students received their diplomas so that each child could get equal attention but did that happen?   Not on your life.  There were shouts, whistles, feet stomping... and even near silence for those unfortunate kids who didn't have the big cheering sections.  I found myself wanting to smack people for their disrespectful attitudes... which just goes to show that as #1 grows up, I continue to grow older and more grumpy.  Sigh).


Graduation day was followed by Pentecost at church -- and as both #1 & #2 sons are in "Communion Class"  (it's in quotes because technically, the Episcopal church doesn't have a standardized First Communion / Communion Class sort of thing, but our parish priest found a lesson plan that he liked. The only problem I can see with it is that it's geared towards younger kids -- and my two are the oldest in the lot so it's a bit slow going for them.



Son #2 in the Middle -with blue shirt





Son #1 with the orange (Orange) polo shirt



The Final product -- one Communion Bread (there were 10-12 made in total)




However, the reason I mention Pentecost is because on Saturday afternoon (after graduation) the kids in the Communion Class got to make Communion Bread which we used on Sunday.  
I took the boys for the bread making  and got to take photos  (terrible as usual).  The bread was a form of quick bread, so it only took a few minutes to get the dough made, then they had to divide and pat out to a regular size.

NOTE for future bread making -- do NOT give 6 kids in ages from 7-14 an open can of flour....
 as they found ways to poof the flour everywhere. And there was a wee bit too much flour in the dough, but with some quick thinking and a lot of kneading, it got fixed.

I got to be one of the first taste-testers while the bread was still warm.  Yummy stuff. Lots of honey (and it was part whole wheat, part white flour) so it had some nice texture to it.  I plan on making some myself -- as soon as I can grab a bag of whole wheat flour.

The boys really enjoyed the process, and the people at church, while a bit confused as they are used to wafers, got into the spirit of it.


Then it was Memorial Day -- we missed the ceremony in Santa Nella that finished off the Eagle Project the boys worked on the week before (planting flowers -- just check back a few blog entries to find that one) because we needed to be at church, but we did get to see a photo of it in the paper the next day. AND we could see some of the flowers we planted.  Right there by the service men!


 Rounding out the weekend,  we got invited to a Memorial Day Barbeque (Thanks L!)  which (sad to say) was nearly a first for us -- the family is just not on the party list for most things as we're hermits....
 A great time was had by all.  Lots of teachers, so honored husband felt comfy, the boys got to swim most of the afternoon and there was loads of food and it was all GREAT!   AND, because the party was at the home of a  war widow, we all said the pledge of allegiance and sang God Bless America before chowing down.


Of course, with all the commotion, work did not get done - and emails did not get answered which is just par for the course.  Now it's back to the regular grind, but with the added help from #1 & #2 while they're home on vacation.


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