Kevin and I Buy a Car!

Kevin and I bought a car together! A first for me, that's for sure. It's helping build his credit and it's making life easier for us. With Kevin going to school at Pike's Peak and working, and then AJ going to UCCS we were stretched trying to figure out how to accomodate both of their schedules with only one car. It wasn't going to work. And with the price of gas I saw nothing but $$ flying away.

We decided to get a little car that Kevin could use since he will be doing most of the driving. We looked for a used car and wound up purchasing a 2003 Ford Taurus. It's a great little car and will be wonderful for him. Things will run much smoother this fall when the two boys are so busy!

Of course, I'll still be without a car most of the time, but I guess that'll just leave me more time for writing!

Graduation Pictures

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Rachael Sherwood took some graduation pictures of AJ. I got them today, and I just LOVE them! My son looks so handsome and sweet and sooooo grownup. Obviously, he is grownup, but sometimes I look at him and still see that little baby I had in what seems like just a few months ago. I'm so proud of him and his accomplishments. He earned an Associates of Science, Physics and graduated cum laude. He'll be transferring to the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs this fall. Can't wait to see what he'll do next!

Class of 2010

Sand Creek High School Class of 2010

Class Motto:

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but

anyone can start today and make a new ending."

-- Maria Robinson --

Class Song:

"Man in the Mirror" by Michael Jackson

Color:

Yellow

Flower:

Yellow Rose

Kevin's Graduation

Kevin's graduation was held today at the World Arena.  It was an amazing experience, with several high points.  The Valedectorian gave a great talk, and asked his classmates to, instead of being a light in the world, to be a light saber.  He whipped out a light saber and swung it around, saying the a light saber was concentrated  and able to slice through the things in life that may try to discourage them.  The Salutatorian reminded them to live in the moment, and the Senior Class President told them to not be afraid of making mistakes and to learn from them.  "Eat things that give you bad breath, make messes," he said while reminding them that they were on the cusp of the rest of their lives.

Two things that were very touching during the ceremony was when one of their classmates, who was left paralyzed from the waist down during surgery when he was a sophomore, actually stood to receive his diploma.  With the help of two aides, braces and a walker this amazing young man stood and got himself across the stage where he accepted his award while the entire class rose to their feet and gave him a standing ovation.

The other thing that happened was that as each student left the stage, the principal Mr. Collins (who is retiring) met them to offer handshakes and hugs.  Each student clipped a bright yellow closepin on his robe.  This is a game the Class of 2010 played this year called "pegging" where the object was to clip a closepin on someone without them knowing and you got points.  BUT, if you got a closepin on Mr. Collins you won the game--period.  No one ever got one on him.  Until today.

"The class of 2010 has always had me pegged!" he proclaimed while looking like a yellow porcupine.  I have a feeling he didn't mind at all.  Kevin says Mr. Collins is the best principal ever.  I think so too.  Sand Creek High School has been a positive experience for him.

Here are a few pictures:

Two crazy brothers!

Mr. Collins gets pegged!

The Sand Creek High School Class of 2010!!

AJ, Kevin and Me.  What a great day.

The Marching Band

I don't know if you heard about this or not, but my youngest son Kevin is in the marching band at his high school. They were preparing for the parade at the State Fair and marching through the neighborhoods so they could build up their stamina and learn how to march on streets.

People came out to cheer and to film and applaud them as they went. But three people, THREE, called the district superintendent and complained (about what I can only imagine!) and the superintendent, instead of supporting our children, called off all future practicing in the streets.

It makes me very angry. We talk all the time about wanting our children to be involved in activities that will make them better people and when they do this happens? This is after school, not during babies naptimes, they aren't standing on someone's lawn playing, they are moving down the street. What about a diesel truck or a motorcycle? Do we ban them?

The thing I wonder the most is, if this was an athletic team out galloping down the street (which we have had on our street) would the superintendent have backed down for the sports program? There are other things our children are involved in that need our support as much as sports and we need to step up to the plate and let them know we have their backs.

If you agree with me, write or call the district office of the Falcon District 49 and let them know. We should let the Sand Creek High School Scorpion Marching Band practice.

And by the way... at the State Fair they came in first in their division (5A) and won third place overall. So those naysayers didn't slay them this time!