Eighth grade Graduation

   Yup, it is official.  We now have two high schoolers in the house.  The eighth grade graduation was Thursday evening, followed by a semi formal dance.  All the young ladies got gussied up in beautiful dresses.  Some of the gents wore  suits or at least ties - some, well, they had collars on their polo shirts, so I think they felt more dressed up than usual!

   Our daughter chose to buy a dress for this event, rather than have me make one - for which I am quite grateful considering how busy things have been. it was a bright green with a front ruffle and showed her figure off nicely.  The silver high heeled sandals finished the ensemble.
   Since there is a dress code, she wore a shrug during the ceremony, but it came off for the dance.
   We are very proud of her academic achievements, as she was on Honor Roll during both years of middle school.  She received the  President's Excellence in Education Award for her academic achievements, "signed" by President Obama.  (I am certain the first copy was, and then his secretary copied the several thousand being sent to all the students earning it across the country.)
  After the ceremony was a mad house. Everyone poured out into the lobby and there was a sea of parents looking for their grad.  We had tried to persuade our eldest to join us, but since crowds make him extremely anxious, he declined.  After the insanity of the after ceremony lobby, we were just as happy he was not there. Here are a few after shots - before the girls headed off to the dance - at which they had a great time.  this class is actually very close, which is wonderful, since they will be together for the next 4 years.  The class of 2015 - gulp!

with her grandmother

with her baby brother

with some of the girls

with mom and dad