Youngest is a graduate.

Youngest graduated from high school.
These things happen, and as it is with so many milestones, it is a bittersweet moment for my Motherhood career.
In some communities you may go out to a nice dinner, or have the family over for a post-graduation cook-out/barbecue/grill-fest. You may get your graduate some flowers to present after the ceremony, or give them a gift to mark the occasion.
But in central Ohio, we believe in really celebrating high school graduation. The wedding is the only other occasion we seem to give as much due.

It begins as early as the spring prior to graduation, with "Senior Pictures". This is an occasion in which the family usually hires a photographer, the graduate selects several outfits, and a location in which to shoot portraits, and items that mark their current passions. Letter jackets, treasured teen trucks, family pets, class rings, sports team uniforms or trophies  and tractors are all brought to the photo shoot. Some teens will have their hair and makeup done professionally for the occasion. Most of the photos are shot outdoors. These photos are used for graduate announcements, invitations and banners.

By mid May a fresh crop of banners are sprouting. Many graduates have a banner. This is staked by t-posts in the front yard. The banner is 6-10 feet long, made of vinyl and highly colorful. It features the graduate's name, usually several "senior pictures"  and can state where the grad is headed for the future, a technical school or university. These banners are remarkably resilient and can stay posted in the yard for much of the year.

And, then, there is the Grad Party. These begin as early as the weekend before graduation and can stretch out into the summer. Invitations are printed with senior pictures, and sometimes even arrive by US post! Most parties are run in open-house style, as some folks are headed to multiple parties every weekend day for more than a month.

Required elements of a proper Grad Party seem to include a slide show- photos over the life of the graduate shown on the television or a computer screen, the "I love me" table- a table or area to display the accolades and accomplishments of the graduate, and of course food!

The graduate usually receives a few gifts from guests, but mostly they give a congratulatory card with money to get the graduate started on the next phase of life.

It took me some time to figure all these rules out, and I still tend to be a rebel guest and give a gift, but I am trying to be more conventional. I have lived her for 19 years after all! 

And thus, the day prior to Youngest receiving his diploma, we had his Grad Party!

We started in the fall with Senior Pictures. We hired an excellent photographer, and my good friend, Kendra to do Youngest's photos.
After choosing some favorites, we had announcements made, with a party invitation.

The girls came home for a few days to party prep and hang out.
Eldest spent hours making a terrific slideshow. It is a wonderful walk through his first 18 years.

The "I love me" table was also fun. Youngest and Eldest chose items to include and the table was set.

We were blessed with a beautiful Ohio spring day! So, the party was held outside in a picnic fashion.
Our screen porch has two doors that lead into the dining room. So, people entered on one side, picked up a small bandana lined basket, and went down the picnic buffet to choose their meal.

Then, back outside to fish a drink out of the drinks tub. Lemonade and iced tea were the choices, all in ball jars with a lid. Straws were in the silverware/napkin bags in the picnic line. Refills of drinks in the dispensers.

We had places to sit outside, or you could choose a picnic blanket on your way out to settle for a chat and eat.

Then, if you needed a sweet treat, we had you covered with Youngest's favorite thing, probably ever.
Candy.

In addition to wrapped candies, there was also a large galvanized tub of kettle corn with choices of candy to mix into the popcorn. Choose a bag, fill 'er up!

  It was such fun to have Cowfeathers hopping with family and friends to wish the graduate great luck in the next phase of life. Huz' brother, Kirk and one of his sons, Jacob, drove all the way from Florida for the weekend. What a treat! And, with a pretty sunset and warm enough weather, we let the party roll on past dark.

The real work of actually being handed a diploma was yet to be done!  And, graduation day was upon us.

The graduates could choose which educator handed them their diploma. Youngest chose one of his mentors in the Tech Department.

He also wanted his picture taken with Smith, the band director, who had so much positive influence on all three of our children.

Youngest and his long-time friend, Erin. These two have been pals since teeth were optional.

Youngest had two grandparent faces in the crowd- even though the actual grandparents were at his cousin's graduation!

Me an' my baby boy. Yikes that was fast!

A nice photo of Huz and his younger brother. It was no small effort to attend, and was much appreciated!

Sisters and a cousin with the graduate.

A quick self-timer group photo, as sunny weather doesn't last long around here!

Well done, Central OHio. Celebration is good. But, shouldn't there be a banner staked out in the front yard with photos of the worn out, but triumphant mother, proclaiming where she is going in her next phase of life? Oh, that's right! You don't graduate from Motherhood.