I'm kind of a mess

A few of my friends have kids graduating from high school this year (and last year too).  I have watched closely as they navigated SAT's, college applications, acceptances and rejections, prom sorority apps, etc.  I have also watched them go through all of the year end stuff.  I always ask my friends if they cried at their child's high school graduations and many of them don't.  Why is it that I am crying when I simply look at the invitation to the 5th grade "graduation" for Harry.  And I got totally teary at Will's awards ceremony for 8th grade last night.  What is wrong with me?  Dave says I am a sissy ;)  And I am always like this. Last week, at Will's high school orientation for Moms, I cried a tad listening to complete strangers talk about their boys graduating. There is something about change that is really hard for me.  I love seeing my boys grow into fabulous young men but there is a part of me that wants to freeze time too.

Onto Will...last night was the 8th grade awards ceremony at his school and he was honored twice.  Once was for the geography bee.  That boy does not even look at the material and does so well every year.  I wonder how far he could go if he actually prepared for it?!  He loves current events and world politics and geography.  He is a natural at it and could carry on a conversation with any adult regarding those topics better than I could.

He was also honored for his dissertation.  At his school some students do a dissertation. It is an elective and supposedly a challenge. It is a year long project aimed to make a difference in the community.  They need a corporate sponsor/partner and it is quite involved.  Will's group dissertation project had to do with providing healthy, clean drinking water (at the right temperature) throughout  public schools.  Apparently, many of the drinking fountains in public schools are not functioning or do not provide clean water at the proper temperatures. And the budget is not there to repair them! They won an award for their dissertation.

Will was also given an award last week for swim team and for being on honor roll the entire time he was on swim team.  In fact, he has been on the honor roll all throughout middle school (with almost all A's).  He also served as the Vice President  and Secretary (different years) of National Junior Honor Society.

We are really proud of you Will and we look forward to seeing what wonderful things you do in high school.

Here is Will and two of his favorite teachers...

One of his Science teachers and the house principal.   She LOVES Will and always tells me what a respectful and fabulous kid he is.  We are hoping Harry gets in the same "house" next year.  They are  put into houses kind of like Harry Potter:)  They remain in that house all through middle school.  It is a fabulous way to build a smaller community within the school.

Will's world cutlures/history teacher.  Will had the unique experience of having this teacher for 3 years in a row.  He was really a mentor to Will and wrote some recommendations for us for high school and various other things.  He always went out of his way to tell me what an incredible kid Will is.  Last night, he complimented Will's intellect and wit.  He is looking forward to teaching Harry next year too!


The gold tassel is for the kids who completed dissertations.  They wear them at graduation next
week too.

And Kate and Will.  She was very proud of her brother and wants to bring his medal for the geography bee to show and tell this week:)

I had better go stock up on waterproof mascara as the next week is full of crying opportunities for me.  (and when I say cry I mean tear up....I don't sob or anything) Wish me luck!