Graduation Celebration

(Nick's character Monty)

A rite of passage occurred in our family this week - Nicholas graduated from college Thursday night. We are so proud of him!

Nick had his portfolio show during the day where employers came to visit the graduating class and see their talents. The graduation ceremony followed later in the day. Nick was disappointed in the fact that there were only a couple of employers that came but he did pass out several resumes and demo reels.

I've included some pictures below. Feel free to send Nick your congratulations at nick@twist-of-fait.com and visit his website to see his work at http://www.twist-of-fait.com/. See more pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/PrincesRealm/GratuationCelebration

Nick's booth

Nick dressed up and ready to graduate

His Demo Reels and business cards - all designed by him

Chatting with folks as they watch his demos reels

His mortar board... I thought it was funny that this was his graduation souvenir and said so.

Coming into the auditorium

Receiving his diploma

All smiles as he heads back to his seat!

Walking back all done!

A picture with his sisters

"It's just a piece of paper, Mom"

A picture of Nick and his favorite teacher, Kip.

More Kittens

No, I have not rescued anymore but we found some hiding in our neighbors tree a few weeks ago and I just had to share some pictures I took. Thank heavens for a really long lens I didn't disturb them at all just stood in my driveway and waited for heads to pop up. They are so cute!

This is Mommy wondering what I am doing...


Isn't she beautiful!


Two little black balls of fluff.



With huge blue eyes like their Mommy

It's been amazing watching her in this tree take very good care of her babies...

End of School Events

Finally getting around to posting about the end of school events... yes, I know school was out on May 29th. We've had a couple of busy weeks and are getting ready for Nicholas' graduation next week and a friend of Wayne's will be visiting over the 4th of July. Both of the girls had great school years and made beautiful progress in their studies, friendships and extracurricular activities.

Before school was done Isabela and I went on a field trip to the Brookfield Zoo, in the rain on a cold day. The kids loved it but mostly because they weren't in a classroom. I can honestly say I wasn't impressed with the zoo but they were doing a lot of construction and well the weather may have had something to do with it.

Isabela and her friend playing games on the long bus ride to the zoo.

Isabela and I have something in common - we don't like our picture taken.

Gotcha! Over the shoulder and upside down... my skills are improving!

The kids in my group. All wet, cold and tired. We were only at the zoo for an hour and a half but that was long enough for us all to get chilled and soaked to the bone. The kids had a science project they were working on (the reason for the trip) and I don't think I've ever seen a group of teenagers finish a school project faster than these guys. Nothing like a little motivation - a nice warm school bus!

Leopard

Tiger

Snow Leopard

Polar Bear

Baby Geese wandering with Mom and Dad (out of frame of course) by the picnic grounds. The kids in my group had a great time feeding half of their lunches to all the Geese, Pigeons and other critters begging for food.

You may not be able to see it but this monkey (can't remember it's name) was screaming at everyone. Just running from treetop to treetop screaming at all of us. Made an impressive noise and had even more impressive fangs...

Monkey lounging in a nice warm monkey house. If the smell wasn't so hideous I think we would have stayed a lot longer in there.

Kids checking out the pitiful Camel exhibit. Poor things were laying in the only patch of sand they had. All and all it was a fun trip amazingly enough. The kids were really good and I got to know several of Isabela's friends and classmates. Can't wait for when Rhianna goes in a couple of years!

Our other end of school event was the quarterly band concert. They did very well and as always had fun with it. Mr. Hunter picks some good music for them to play.

Getting ready...

Isabela is right in front of Mr. Hunter.

She not only plays the Flute but the Piccolo too. She's had a couple of solos in the last concerts and she really likes it. I think she really likes hitting the very high notes and watching the dogs go nuts.

Piccolos squeak worse then Clarinets did you know that?

Not a large band but a good one!

Rhianna's end of school year activities included a field day, an end of our elementary years party and getting all signed up for junior high. She will be in band next year too. She tried out for flute and clarinet - guess which one will grace our household next fall??? Nope couldn't have been that easy on our pocket book we have to buy a clarinet. I think we definitely have a full band of our own at home. Rhianna is really looking forward to it. Evidently she had a great tryout and Mr. Hunter feels she is very talented. Nothing like being graced with musically talented kids. Now, if they would just get their homework done!