Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Whew! The past few days have been a whirlwind! The end of the school year seems like it takes forever – part of that is that as a Spanish teacher I teach 9th-12th grades and different grades are pulled for testing (mandatory state and AP), so I rarely have a full class in May! But it’s also a fun time because we can chat and be a bit more casual. They have independent work and a project to be working on when they are in class. We are for sure wrapping up!
Friday night the whole family – including Eddie Otis went to the nature center to see the play Mason has been a part of. It was really cute. Eddie Otis was really good, too. The setting was really pretty and the weather was great!
Mason below on the right:
Eddie Otis let me sleep in a bit on Saturday. He has to be lifted out of bed. He is quite the diva. He is pretty patient, though. He lets me go to the bathroom and put my robe and shoes on and then I pick him up. Sunday Tom did the morning duties.
So, college graduation was Saturday at 2:00 and it wasn’t exactly as I had hoped. This happens often as parents and often as parents of older kids, I think. We kind of have to roll with it. Jack had to leave the house at 8:00 and sing in both the graduate ceremony at 10 before the undergrad ceremony. So, we drove with Mason and we never got to get photos or both of them together beforehand.
Mason and Tom walking in:
Another thing was that they didn’t get to graduate at their college, Bellarmine University. It was held at the fair and expo center Freedom Hall. So, it was sad not to be on campus. I also didn’t get to take a photo of Mason with his roommate who graduated, too.
It was long! And, then Mason had to be at the play at 5:30 and didn’t even have time to eat at a restaurant. So, that was not what I had imagined, either. We got him DQ drive thru and then Jack, Tom, and I ate at a mediterranean place that Jack chose.
Jack had two friends over and they did s’mores and enjoyed the patio, so that was nice. Mason finally got home around 10 from the play.
So, mamas, we don’t always get to design these events the way we would like. My kids didn’t get a 2020 high school graduation, so this was their first. And, as a twin mom you feel like you only get one shot at these special moments. I couldn’t be prouder, and they both grew so much in their four years. So, I guess I am being real with you all. Those social media photos probably have a not so picture-perfect story behind them most of the time and I try to remember that.
On Sunday, they agreed to don their attire again and Tom and I also wore the same thing. as we wore on Saturday! We did some backyard photos because we didn’t have time to go to campus, but they have promised me would do that soon. I called it all I wanted for Mother’s Day.
Those will have to do for now. I may do a separate post with more information, but neither of them like a lot of attention.
Jack graduated cum laude, which was also a nice surprise. The pink cord was for music. Mason’s cords were for theatre and a theatre organization.
I picked up this vial of holy water from the campus chapel at the beginning of their freshman year and kept it with me since then. I think I lost some of the holy water along the way. What else in my purse became holy in the last four years?
I let them pick the Mother’s Day lunch because it turned into a graduation celebration, too. They picked the butter candle place!
Mason finished up the play Sunday night and it really filled his cup. His castmates all signed a grad card and got him cupcakes, too, so I know he was so touched.
It was a big weekend! I am a mom of college graduates! How did that happen? They are just starting to apply for jobs and will probably work whatever part time job this summer. I’m ok with that. I had my big girl job one month or less after graduating and I never got off that train. I’m still on that train. So, I think it’s ok that they are figuring it out right now.
It also has made me think of my college graduation, the summer after college graduation, and my first apartment and teaching job. That girl on the left had no idea what she was in for. And, that girl on the right is still one of my biggest supporters. We just got off the phone a bit ago. She always remembers the big moments in my life and texts or calls.
I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Tell me something about yours or your graduation celebrations!
Amy
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
I have definitely learned that going with the flow and letting go of expectations is key! In fact I was just saying something exactly like that to my husband on Friday when we were talking about Alec’s prom and the “plan” or lack there of. I have to keep reminding myself that these milestones aren’t really about me. I had my chance and I’m sure they didn’t always work out the way my family wanted– heck, I didn’t even go to my grad school graduation! I’m just hoping for a picture or two– even if it has to be recreated. 🙂 Congrats to both your boys!!
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It is, but it’s also so hard for me. It gets harder as they are more in control and we are less in control! Thank you!
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Congratulations to Mason and Jack! I know you and Tom are so proud of them both. I think it’s wise to take a month to breathe before jumping into real life. Our boys did the same when they graduated from high school; they knew they weren’t going to college, so they took all of June and July and started working full time in August. They’ve never stopped! I’m so thankful to know that they enjoy their jobs, which is one of the most important things ever.
Your post reminded me of me and my high expectations. I am always having to lower them, because I don’t like to be disappointed. I’m sorry for you that Saturday wasn’t what you’d hoped it would be, but it looks like you called a great audible and had a “redo” on Sunday. I love the pictures! I would love to see their campus, so even if they’re not in it, maybe you could take some pics one day while you’re out for us here in the blog world. My inquiring mind always loves to have a visual of places talked about. Have a great day, my beautiful friend. xoxo
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Thank you! Thanks for the reminder that it’s ok to take a beat – Tom is like now, now, now. But it also took Tom 8 years to get a 4 year degree so I remind him of that. I think that’s a great idea to do the campus with them or without but I really want them to be there. I will miss that campus. I picked them up for meals and brought them things and felt so safe and secure leaving them there. That’s why the holy water was so special to me, I think.
Thank you!
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You’re welcome! I think my husband wanted our boys to jump right in as well, but I was like, “Simmer down, Jethro!” They have the rest of their lives to work; I am all about them taking the time to decide and to be careful about what they want to do for this next phase. The real world starts soon enough!
I would definitely want them there on campus for the pics…I meant just for our benefit on the blog, I was just giving you an idea for a future post idea. You could even write a whole post on places we’ve never seen before. Just a thought!
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I have kept their college secret til now too so I will talk about it! Great idea!
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You are so right about things not always going the way we have them in our minds. And I swear social media can be such a bad influence. Thinking everything is perfect is dangerous! I am glad your boys were able to have a graduation ceremony. So many schools are canceling them.
I’ve yet to see one of my boys graduate from college! Sounds funny but Nolan graduated from UF in 2020 and there was a virtual ceremony. It was heartbreaking because he was so bummed. We did get good photos because we hired a photographer a few weeks prior. Turned out to be the best decision because his friends came and we got fabulous photos. It made the day special.
Then in 2022, Collin did not charge his phone, it died, and the alarm never woke him up. We were at the ceremony and he was not! He called my and told me he just woke up so we left. I will have to wait until he graduates with his master’s degree next spring! Ha!!!
I have thoroughly enjoyed watching my nephews both graduate though. It is a great accomplishment to see our kids finish this chapter of their lives!
xo,
Kellyann
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I remember both of these situations. Honestly, I would not have handled the alarm one very well.
I remembered thinking you handled it with grace. I am excited for you to see that Master’s and I am pretty sure you have read him the riot act!
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I know! Everyone says that but to know Collin is to love him. He is the sweetest soul; and if he had been out drinking and partying the night before it would have been a different story. But Nolan wanted to take him out and so did my nephew and he refused saying he needed to get up early. The other thing was that he was upset with himself, had he only plugged his phone in! Experience is the best teacher and that was one experience he will never live down, everyone talks about it and he is very embarrassed by it. Next May he WILL walk across that stage!!! Ha!!
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Sounds so much like mason. He had some mess ups in England! He lets his phone die all the time.
Poor Colin!
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Congratulations to your boys!! 👏👏👏 I love the pictures you got!! I know what you mean about things not always going as planned. Sometimes life just isn’t in our control. My youngest never had a prom because of covid and I’m still upset about it. ☹️ Unlike your boys though she had a high school graduation ceremony so I’m grateful for that. Wishing your boys well on their job search.
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What a nice weekend! Some of the best things are not what you thought! Good MOM on not getting on them for wanting to take the summer to chill! I did not go to college but, my dad got me my job 1 week after I graduated from high school. Was he right? Hell Yes! Did I hate him for it? Yes! Was it the best decision of my life? Yes! But………. I still to this day I wish I had that summer? Yes!
Your a good mom!
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Wow! Congratulations to the boys and to you of course! Clever to do the pictures the day after! Of course you should take some pictures at the campus, and maybe some of their friends would enjoy that too!
My oldest one graduated in the middle of covid, but their highschool really made the best of it!
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It sounds like a busy time at the end of the school year. The nature centre trip sounds like a good evening.
So sorry the college graduation didn’t go as you hoped. I am so glad you got some photos eventually. You must be so proud of them both.
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Love this post so much, but also – thanks for keeping it real. There are so many times as a twin mom that I feel like I only have opportunity at these milestones and moments. I’ve been a little sad lately thinking of how quickly time is flying by (but I don’t think I’m sad about middle school being over haha)
Your boys are amazing! I love that you took pics on Sunday & it looks like a lovely meal to celebrate.
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Congratulations to you and your boys!
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Thank you! Part of me is sad! It went too fast!
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Congratulations to both of your sons! I hadn’t thought about the importance of this college graduation until I was listening to the radio the other day. The reporter was talking about how these kid had missed their high school graduations so college graduations were just that much more important. I’m glad you were able to be there even though it wasn’t at their college. And, I love how one smiles like you, and the other smiles like your husband!
My oldest graduated from Wabash College which prides itself on so many traditions…like graduation on Mother’s Day and always outside. Of course, it rained the day my son graduated so they moved it to the un-air conditioned gym! But, he finished, and that was what counted! My daughter graduated from Franklin College which is just the nicest little college ever. She loved her college years and was a bit emotional about leaving. My youngest decided, at the last minute (goodbye scholarships) to attend St. Francis University and commuted. He didn’t attend his graduation and didn’t even get his diploma until quite a few years later. It’s funny how graduations mean different things to different people. It’s weird to think my youngest has been out of college for almost 20 years! And, he’s the only one actually working in his field! All three of them worked during the summers and even had jobs during college. I encouraged them to try different jobs during those summers and years to find out what they DIDN’T want to do with their degrees/lives.
Sorry to write such a book!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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I’m just sorry I can’t write as much back right now. Blogging has taken a way back seat to work and puppy.
I tried to honor what they wanted and not push my agenda. They didn’t want a party but I think I’m going to send announcements? I don’t like the idea of fishing for gifts.
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Congratulations to Mason and Jack (and you!) It is so true that we have to keep our expectations at a reasonable level and not be disappointed when plans change. We definitely had to pivot several times during our graduation weekend. I think it’s so nice that everyone got back into the caps/gowns on the next day so you could get your pictures!
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Congratulations to Mason and Jack!
I agree: the summer after college brought all the feelings and responsibility, so it’s okay to take some time. I worked part time for almost 2 years after until I got a full-time job. It is what it is!
Glad you got to spend Mother’s Day weekend them your entire family 🙂
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