Promotion

Riley opted not to go to his Promotion from eighth grade to high school this last week. I told him it was like a graduation. Tom didn't care. He said the big ones were high school and college of course. The only one I did attend of mine was eighth grade.

I had a cream colored dress and my hair up in a bun, all dressed up. In Public school , the kids are told they can dress up, no spaghetti strap or inappropriate attire. Some do, most of the girls. The boys, again some do. There are a few that do not. Riley knew there would be a crowd of people. It was more than a crowd. I am told the place was packed, standing room only by the time everyone got in. Figure 180 plus students graduating, excuse me, promoting, each student has two parents and then all the extras, siblings and grand parents and close friends. You can imagine the crowd.

I haven't particularly liked graduations anyway. Its selfish really, you have to sit through every name called in the class. Riley comes toward the back, so you would have to wait awhile. I went to my sister in laws graduation for her masters in college. There were 450 graduating that day. She was a B. Riley was about a 7 months old. I pinched him so he would cry and I could get up and leave. We went to play outside in a courtyard for the next two hours that ceremony took. The family gathering afterwards was much more fun.

For my high school graduation, my Paternal Grand mother signed up for a trip to China and asked if I would like to go with her. Yes? It was not a hard decision. But the flight left before graduation. I barely knew any one in my graduating class of 425. That is considered small in the city these days. Coming from a private grade school of a class of 25 students, and then that was split into two groups of 13 for each teacher. To have over 30 students in every class had been overwhelming for me in high school. I put high school behind me.

College was Whitman. A beautiful school in Walla Walla. In the middle of the rolling wheat fields of Eastern Washington. An intimate setting. I also requested an older dorm with two rooms. I liked the idea of a little privacy. The freshman dorms only had one room for two roommates. I was assigned a room mate. She became one of my dearest life long friends.

I would like my boys to attend a smaller college. At least Riley. I think he would flourish in that atmosphere. Trevor, I haven't made up my mind about yet. He makes friends easily, but is not the best of students. He is going to college. We will have to wait and see which one.
Tom is such a Beaver fan, he is indoctrinating the boys. I think though Riley will want to pick his own road.

The Principal called after the Promotion ceremony was over. It was after 9:00 pm. She wanted to know if she could drop by and drop off Riley's diploma. I had already
put the boys to bed, so I suggested another day when she was free. Friday worked. The tutor would also be there. I thought that would be nice. Friday, she calls and says she is on her way. It worked well since Trevor had missed the bus and wanted me to pick him up after school. With the tutor here I couldn't leave until after she was done. The Principal said she could bring Trevor home. She and the Vice Principal drove Trevor home. They came in with brownies and the diploma in a black folder. Inside, there was a school photo of Riley on one side and the certificate on the other. Riley was pleased by the attention.

Trevor had also brought home their year books. Riley was in a couple of photos from earlier in the year. Trevor had taken both books around to have signed. It was lovely. Having worked on year books myself for the boys in elementary school, I know how much work it is. I also know they have to be submitted at least two months in advance to be done by their due date. I was glad Riley was in a couple pictures. Trevor had some great shots himself. He loves to dress up for spirit days, so he had a hilarious photo as a sports fan with a Beaver claw and all dressed in Orange.

The school year is now over. We play out the summer. Tom and I are both waiting impatiently for Riley's next set of numbers. A nurse from Dornbechers called to tell me she could draw the numbers at camp so Riley wouldn't have to be pulled early for his appointment. He could stay at camp the whole week. I loved that. I dread the sitting at home with no plans. I want those boys busy this summer.