Jack and Anna Graduate! Memory Lane.

Jack and Anna graduated today. The morning started with Jack oversleeping. They were supposed to be at the arena at 6:30am and planned to leave at 5:45. I woke him up around 5:30. But, they still made it in plenty of time. It started at 8:30, and the rest of us got to the parking garage around 8. It was held at the UCF basketball arena and we didn't have any trouble parking or getting through security. 

What 700 graduates look like

They had prerecorded speeches from the class president and Valedictorian (who had something like a 5.6 GPA). The principal also spoke as did our school board representative. I thought all the speeches were good. There were around 700 kids graduating and they promised us it would be under 2 hours, we were doubtful, but they kept it to an 1:45. Because I had little else to do while they called out the 700 names, I spent a little bit of time timing the event, and on average, they could read out 10 names in about 40 seconds. So, around 4 seconds per name. The kids walked across stage, shaking hands with about 15 people (principal, vice principal, school board rep, county commissioner, other politicians, etc.). We were impressed with the efficiency. 

My favorite part, other than watching Anna and Jack cross the stage was the balloon drop and confetti spray at the end. It felt very festive.

Confetti falling

We found the kids after graduation and were able to get pictures. Stupidly, we didn't get any individual shots at the graduation. We have always treated them separately (singing happy birthday twice when they were little, celebrating with different cakes on different days, being in different classes, etc.). But, somehow on their first day of Kindergarten, we did not get any individual photos, so I suppose this was a fitting conclusion. 

Getting out of the parking garage was a lot more difficult then getting in was, but we impatiently managed. Then, we went to Chili's for lunch. That was Anna's choice. At some point, we owe Jack Cracker Barrel, which is his favorite celebration restaurant (I think because of the Coke Cake).

Lunch was good and it was nice to celebrate Jack and Anna. When they started school, I was a stay-at-home mom and I spent a lot of time in their classrooms. I went back to work when they were in 3rd grade, but I feel like we still were pretty active in their elementary school years. I have a lot of good memories. I have written about this, but both had some behavior issues as they adapted to school.  I can remember Jack mooning kids on the playground in pre-K and Anna yelling at her classmates for leaving the toilet seat up in 1st grade. Well, I guess I should say, I remember getting told about those things by their teachers. The only year they had the same teacher was pre-K, and Anna saucily informed their teacher that she "could not speak to her brother that way." They were nervous about starting kindergarten and not being together and we made arrangements for them to have lunch together at the peanut free table, which they did all through elementary school, except for when they were fighting and a teacher would make them sit apart for a few days. They were Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum in their school's production of Alice in Wonderland in 3rd grade. Despite all the together time, they always had distinct friend groups, but I know it was comforting for both of them to have the other nearby. 

As they entered middle school, Covid hit. Anna went back to school and Jack did online classes for a full year. Then, Jack got involved in band and track and Anna tried different activities like ice skating, theater and lacrosse. They have no mutual friends, which makes me a little sad, but in the past couple of years, they have become closer again. Anna is very sad about Jack leaving for college. 

I loved having twins and when people would ask me my favorite part, I always said it was watching how they interacted with each other.  Having Kara so quickly made it almost like triplets and I am sad the trio is being split up. I try to keep in mind the lyrics of my favorite song, although lately, it makes me too sad and I can't listen to it, but it is apropos here-- "remember when, we said when we turn gray, when the children grow up and move away, we won't be sad, we'll be glad, for all the life we've had, and we'll remember when." I have made a conscious effort throughout my life to not wish time away and to try and be present without being sad that the past is in the past. That is a little harder today, but I am glad for all the fun we've had. And, we have had so much fun. So many amazing memories. Small things like celebrating birthdays and Christmas, playing in our backyard and yearly trips to Dutch Wonderland. Watching them grow and learn and flourish. Seeing who they were and who they have become and looking forward to seeing what life has in store for them. Worrying about them and praying they will be treated kindly and will treat others kindly. Hoping that the future will be good to them and that they will stay close to us and to each other. Parenthood sure is a wild ride!

I have waxed poetic long enough. If anyone has made it to the end of these rambling thoughts, I am going to surmise that you have playing some sort of role in Jack and Anna's life and for that I thank you. I think they have turned into pretty awesome young adults.

Bonus pictures:

First day of Kindergarten to graduation day.