summer fun

June brought some fun events, starting with the Special Olympics USA Games hosted in the Twin Cities!  Brett didn't get to participate as an athlete, but we volunteered at two events- flag football and track.

On Juneteenth, we ate lobster and went to a community event in the Rondo neighborhood.  Reggie made the front page of the Pioneer Press!

Lydia was awarded a scholarship to Materials Camp at the U of M.  They presented their projects on the last day.  It turns out she has no interest in materials composition or analysis, but she learned how to get to the University on public transportation, so it wasn't a complete wash.

Reggie had football camps, including one to the U of M - Duluth.  He played legion baseball and took a job distributing flyers for a local contractor.  Lydia continued working for Woodbury Parks and Rec for the third summer!  She was even given a supervising position for peewee sports camps.  And Brett worked at Central Park. Success!

let's celebrate

Brett was so excited about the all-night party at the high school after the graduation ceremony.  I let him get an energy drink- and after about ten minutes - I started pouring a little down the drain every time he stepped out of the room.  He managed to stay up the whole night with half the caffeine in his system and have a great time.

The grad party was the following weekend.  We rented a shelter at a city park, and it was a lovely celebration. So many family and friends from school, sports, church, and our community came out to honor Brett's accomplishment!  We had most of the food catered by a former football teammate of Bryan's who owns a BBQ food truck business.  MeeMaw made the desserts, and Papa helped with all the last-minute tasks! Lydia painted some rocks to help with the wind.

Grandpa built this display with some help from Brett, and Grandma made the tableclothes.  Both will be used again soon!

My parents hosted an after-party cookout for family at their house.

 

It ended with watching some home videos!  I'm smiling just thinking about how everything came together with the help of those who love Brett!

Brett got a job as an event attendant at the city's public venue.  It's a large building that contains the library, an indoor playground, a gym, a small amphitheatre, an indoor garden, and various spaces to rent for meetings and events. He likes it, and it could lead to more opportunities through the city.  He is also attending a transitional school through our school district.  He continues to participate in Special Olympics and has initiated attending the young adults ministry at our church.  He remains a passionate fan of the Timberwolves - a love that he shares with his girlfriend. 😊Yes, we are actively progressing toward adulthood at his pace. I'm proud of him.

Congratulations, Graduate!

There was some drama over the graduation venue this year.  It was supposed to be held at an arena on the U of M's campus - as it was held the previous year. However, due to security concerns, the U of M canceled all high school graduation bookings without much time to pivot. The district was able to secure the Vikings' practice facility as the venue. What worked out in our favor was that each graduate could have up to 10 guests, but the disadvantage was that it was an outdoor facility, and there was rain in the forecast.  There wasn't a rainout plan.  It did rain - just enough to create a rainbow for a breathtaking backdrop!

National Honor Society

In the spring, Reggie was inducted into the National Honor Society. He was the only black male on the stage, which simultaneously made me proud and broke my heart.

thank God for grandmas

I went back to look at my pictures from April and May and came up with two that wouldn't necessarily fit in my online journal if today wasn't my Grandma Alvina's birthday, who passed in 2019.

I made my version of her bunny cake for Easter.  Grandma loved baking - and holidays!

Here are my lovely irises.  Grandma gave me some from her garden when we bought our first home.  I've moved them with me three times!  

My kids are extra blessed.  They have three grandmas!

prom

Ironically, I'm posting about prom while I'm waiting for the last teenager to come home from homecoming. I've come to the conclusion that parenting babies and teens have this in common: sleep deprivation. 

Lydia and Brett both went to prom with friends this spring.  We made a little bigger deal out of it for Brett since it was his senior year and only prom. I told Lydia we would pay for one prom and she decided it would be her senior year.  So she bought a used dress for $4 and Grandma altered it.   

 

Brett went with his group of 8 besties plus two of their dates. The eight played adaptive sports (Thunderbolt's) together and were all seniors!  The parents split the cost of a limo party bus, and it was a night to remember for sure!

the spring break i missed

 

    

Here are some pictures of the spring break I missed. Two days before our trip, I was admitted to the hospital after emergency surgery due to kidney stones. I was in the hospital the day of the Special Olympics Frozen 5k and Polar Plunge.  The next day, we were supposed to go to Seattle, but the doctor said I would not be well enough to travel. Bryan wanted to cancel the trip altogether, but he agreed to go with the kids if I was discharged.  They let me out only hours before their flight! Our dear friend Bonnie kept good tabs on me while I recovered!

Some of the highlights from Seattle were the Luman Field tour, the Air and Flight Museum, the Space Needle, a whale-watching tour, and a Kraken hockey game.

I'm very grateful Bryan and the kids enjoyed the trip.  I had a second surgery six weeks later and have made a complete recovery.

DECA, voting, and student of the trimester

Brett decided to try some new things this year.  One was floor hockey, and another was DECA.  Having taken all the ceramics classes, he took some business and marketing, and personal finance classes this year. He made a connection with the teacher, and joined DECA.  Brett had the opportunity to attend regional and state competitions!  His teacher also awarded him with the Student of the Trimester for the business department.

Another milestone for Brett in January was he voted for the first time!  It was a special election and ironically we got to vote for a good friend of ours.  That was easy for him to decide!