Graduation Day!

Today would have been L's graduation day. It was a beautiful day too.

We had her dress up in her cap and gown and drove to the high school to take some pictures. OK, a lot of pictures.

We took along a bag of confetti to get a picture or two of L celebrating.

It took a few tries to get it right.

I love the expression on her face. She looks so happy. I told her we'll have to bring the confetti to her U of I graduation in four years. We have a lot of confetti.

We walked around the entire school looking for places to take photos. Several people who seemed to be on their daily walks said, "Congratulations" as they walked by.

More confetti for the front of the school.

We even stopped by the bakery for a picture. She's been off work since mid-March and has been called back starting Tuesday. She's excited to be going back.

Cards from church

Our youth minister, G, dropped off graduation cards to L today from the church members.

L made these mugs for all the graduates at G's request so L knew she was getting one. She didn't know it would be full of candy!

Here's L with all the cards. A few had money, one had a Dunkin' gift card but most were filled with well wishes.

This one, from our friend, L.L., was so funny it made L laugh out loud.

Donuts are back

L made Andy a donut captain mask for his first shift. He had several people ask where he got his mask so he referred them to L's business. L drove over for her shift to begin at 9:30 a.m. as a cashier but she saw they were putting away the tables so she came home. They only made three bags (a usual week is seven bags) so they were all sold out by time L got there. The church wasn't sure how well donut sells were going to be wit the new restrictions in place. Next week they'll be back to full capacity.

Gown and diploma pick-up

L and her friend, N, drove to the high school today to get in line to pick up their graduation gowns, yearbook and a bag of "goodies." L came home and put the mortarboard on before getting out of the car. Made for a nice photo.

And here's the diploma! I'm planning to take her to the high school over the weekend to get some nice pics in her cap and gown. Graduation was supposed to be Sunday, the 31st.

This one a gift from the Student Council to the seniors. L said it's a nice thought but she wishes not everything that has Class of 2020 on it also has toilet paper rolls.

Gift from sensei

L got a package from sensei in the mail today. It's her name written in Japanese and a collection of the various writings she did in Japanese class. On the back of the name, sensei wrote a nice note to L. She said the word that reminded her most of L was "loyal."

"... When I think of all the wonderful qualities you have, it is hard to pick one word, but your loyalty stands out to me. You are always making sure that everyone feels accepted, you always try to find the good in everyone. We always came together because of you. Thank you for your kindness, compassion, thoughtfulness and sweetness. Your cake and cookies were delicious and sweet, but nothing compares to your own sweetness."

Fastest crossword time

I got a new fastest time on my morning commuter crossword puzzle. My time of 5 minutes and 23 seconds with 100 percent beats my time of 6 minutes and 26 seconds on Dec. 18. It took a long time to beat that time!

Porch deliveries

The preschool director dropped off some Spilt Milk pastries this morning as a thank you for the school year - banana bread, a scone, biscuit and three cookies. How sweet and yummy!

And sensei dropped off this stuffed llama the other day for L. She had left it in the Japanese room. We were planning to have a gift (she was the favorite teacher for all three kids) ready for her since we knew she was going to drop it off but she came by two days before we expected her. She gave us her address so I can at least mail her a card and said L can give her a present when they get to see each other again. Maybe sometime this summer? Muffles isn't amused by the llama.

Hanging out

Bushes, a butterfly & blooms

We're not great gardeners and we're not sure what kind of bushes these are. We think they’re lilacs. They were put in by the landscapers. They smell nice.

This Painted Lady butterfly was attracted to them.

We also have one cluster of irises blooming in the yard. They're kind of a peachy color the landscaper planted. The ones by the utility box are doing much better:

Certainly have grown a lot in the last few days.

And our second vine of clematis is starting to bloom. I was surprised they are a different color. Wasn't expecting that.

Clematis

The clematis behind our garage is blooming. One plant is full of blooms at the bottom and another looks like it's going to bloom at the top. Those haven't opened yet.

E's hike

E and some friends from work went on a hike yesterday to Teneriffe Falls. She sent some pictures. I think this one should be her screensaver.

This was at the top of the falls ...

... and these two were taken at the bottom. She was able to use some of the money gifted to her from work to "enjoy yourself" for a parking pass for the state parks. The parks have free admission but parking costs.

Celebrating the graduates

L was up in time for church today. Our Christian Ed director sent out bingo cards for the kids to mark things off as they watched the service. Here's L showing off her bingo - a triple bingo, she claims. No prizes though.

The church celebrated all of its graduates today. They included videos from various church members and relatives to the grads.

Aunt Allison made a really sweet video for L.

Parkway flowers

My columbine is blooming ...

and the irises are starting to bloom.

The bridal wreath is blooming too, though we know those delicate blooms won't last long.

So I brought some inside for a springtime bouquet.

Last day of OPRF

Today was L's official last day of OPRF. She went to school to drop off her trigonometry textbook this afternoon.

Her friend, A, and her sister dropped by this morning before L was awake and decorated the front of the house.

She put streamers on the railing ...

and wrote "congratulations" on the sidewalk in blue and orange chalk. Her sister left L a gift card to Dunkin'.

E wanted to celebrate the day (from afar) with her friends so she made them "diplomas" out of Rolos.

They turned out pretty cute.

She attached a graduation balloon and drove around with Allison to drop them off for each friend.

This was the gift for her friend, M. We "sponsored" him as part of a school graduation celebration organized by the senior parents. He plans to become a Japanese teacher so we filled a basket of his favorite Japanese foods and candy and gave him a "good luck" cat. Of course, she gave him a "diploma" and balloon too.