Saturday, June 24, 2017

Summer Break 2017

Summer break starts now.  It is an odd start to vacation this year.  Caz has already been done with school for a month.  Coco had his last exam today.  I made a game time decision to drive up to Sebec Lake to join this years Maine Vacation crew.  Demi is packing to go to The Island for a family party.  Caz has to work, so he is staying home.  Coco has training and working on landing a new job.  The boys will be home for a night alone.  Together.  What could possibly go wrong?

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Father's Day 2017

Happy Father's Day Gentlemen!
     This was a great Father's Day.  I got Demi and Caz back, late last night.  It looked dicey with the flights being delayed.  The boys put on a good face and accompanied us to the beach early.  They played catch with me.  We played bocce.  The departed early, which was fine.  Demi and I got some time alone at the beach.  Caz parked the CRV on the other side of the bridge.  The boys walked the beach and to the car without complaint.  Then we had a nice cookout over at my parents house.  There was no family drama.  A nice way to spend the day.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Camp War Eagle

Demi and Caz left for Camp War Eagle.  It's Auburn's orientation for new students and parents.  I M very excited for Demi to see the university finally.  I think it will make her feel better about sending her child off to college.  Sure, it's the heat of summery, but we will be moving him in during the dog days of August.  They have a few days to really explore.  I envy them a bit.

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Pig Roast

What does one choose as a theme for a high school graduation and the student is going to college in Alabama?  You throw a pig roast, of course! Genius!
     We hired Shakey Pete to throw a pig roast for 100 people.  Shakey Pete's wife made the world's best cornbread, beans and slaw.  My brother smoked chicken thighs and made pesto chicken pasta, all while hung over.  The Long Island family came in.  The cousins and friends came.  The high school boys decided to play shirts and skins when the high school girls showed up.  Go figure, right?
    The weather was perfect.  The guests were well fed.  Most importantly, Caz had a huge grin on his face the whole time.  He thanked Demi multiple times for a great party.  Made it all worth it.

Monday, June 5, 2017

Road Trip 2017

Caz's first road trip.  He's 18 now. He needs to make his own choices and understand the consequences that come with each choice.  His buddies planned a trip to Twin Rivers Casino.  I knew it wasn't a full blown casino like Foxwoods or Mohegan but I still didn't think one could get in if under 21 years of age. Who knew?  I thought it might be a really short trip.
     He egged his mother on in the days leading up to his departure.  He asked for funds to go clothes shopping, so he could get some "good" clothes for the casino.  Then he expected Demi to iron them.  I thought he might not make the trip after all.....But then he mentioned there was a gentlemens club there too.  It was probably just to see her reaction.  The little punk....
     While down there we left him alone.  We didn't call to check up on him.  He actually called us.  The car didn't seem right, then it really had some trouble.  He pulled it into a safe parking lot.  He and his buddies called Demi, then our mechanic.  His buddy had AAA+, so they arranged to have the car towed to our mechanic.  They arranged a ride home from the train the next day.  Ca really handled himself well.  We are very proud of him.

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Class of 2017

What a day!  Our first child graduated from high school.  It was a very long & emotional day.  All good things.  But we were all drained by the end.
     Caz had to hit the senior breakfast.  I helped him get ready.  He seemed to think he was going to wear his track uniform under his gown.  He would have looked like a flasher.  I realized I needed to get some pictures.  I raced around looking for the camera.  I feel I can brag to say I took some really good photos.  Demi had run out to do errands. She also realized we needed pictures, so she arrived home in a panic, right as I wrapped up the photo shoot.
     Graduation was a blur.  The school arranged it so that right after the seniors entered, the pledge of allegiance & national anthem would occur.  Then Caz and a fellow classmate, who was also running in the State Track meet, would receive their diplomas.  They were then whisked off stage and into the team van.  The track kids received a police escort out of town.
     Demi and I had a few hours to kill.  She ran around doing errands for next weekend's graduation party.  I tried to keep busy too.  I worked on a slide show for the party.  I went through years of photos.  I picked some of the best and scattered them throughout a slideshow.
     Demi and I drove my mother to the All State Track meet.  The anticipation was awful. We staked out a spot by the finish line.  Caz ran well but there was a lot of fast competition.  He did not advance.  It was still an honor to run and an amazing way to fish both his season and career.
     Caz stayed with his team.  He ended up missing a friend's graduation party.  He missed joining his buddies at Gradnite, where they get locked in the school with their classmates until morning.  However, he went to dinner with the girls 4x100 relay team.  He drove them all home and we saw him around midnight.  I think he chose well......

Friday, June 2, 2017

Graduation Eve

My oldest graduates from DHS tomorrow.  Here I am, up at 3 AM thinking about it.  How did this come about so fast?  My oldest son is a legal adult and soon to be high school graduate.  Tomorrow will be a hectic day.  We have a doubleheader.
     Caz will get his diploma and he will run in the All State Track Meet.  We are very fortunate that he can do both.  The school has been great making accommodations for making it all possible.  Caz and his fellow track seniors qualifying for the meet, will walk at the very start of the ceremony.  Then they will join their coach to depart for the meet.  They will miss the speeches and the rest of their classmates walking.  They won't get to toss their hats with the rest.  But they get to do both events, and do not have to choose one over the other.  Call that a Win.
     Now, it feels like the night before Christmas.  I am wide awake in anticipation.