handsful

This past weekend, we celebrated Abbey.

She’s our high school graduate now.  Twelve years of homeschooling under her belt.

And mine :)

Course, I have 5 more coming after her.  I’ll refrain from discussing how old I’ll be when Dylan graduates.  Shudder.

Abbey participated in the North Carolina Home Educators (NCHE) annual home school graduation ceremony.  Every year, during their home school convention, they hold a graduation.

We drove over to Winston-Salem on Saturday, walked over to the convention center, and spent a little time in the book fair…picture a ginormous room, with aisles and aisles full of everything you could possibly ever want or need for homeschooling.

I never get to spend as much time there as I’d prefer.

Then, we let the little kids swim at the hotel pool.

The next day, we met the grandparents (as well as Daniel and his parents) at a restaurant for lunch.  Gifts were given…

Abbey will be going to Mitchell Community College for a couple of years, to earn her Associate’s degree.

After a 3:00 rehearsal with students and parents (I was already getting weepy at this point…), it was time for the real deal.

In between weepy moments.

Abbey and Daniel were seated right across from each other.

Time for Abbey.  During this ceremony, the parents give the student the diploma…after all, we’re the teachers.  So, Abbey walked up from one side of the stage, and we walked up from the other side.

Abbey gave me a rose…

Picture time…Abbey and all her grands

Nana and Paw Paw

Gram and Pa-Paul

Granma and Granpa

Abbey with Uncle Tony and Aunt Dee Dee

Abbey and Daniel

Class of 2024 and 2025.  Heh.

Abbey and John William Frye…we’ve been friends with JW’s parents for years, and they’ve literally known each other since they were babies.

After the ceremony, we met up with Daniel and his parents for dinner.

It’s hard to believe that you’re a high school graduate, Abbey.  So much is ahead of you…we’re couldn’t be prouder of the young woman you’ve become.

Happy Graduation, Abbey.  We love you!

He’s still going to soccer camp again this year, but he’s developed a love for baseball lately.  And, he makes contact with the ball quite often.  Maybe next year we’ll try baseball?

Crazy cat.  This is Chili, rolling in the clover…

Found these growing on the side yard…never planted it.  Maybe the previous owners?  Not sure what it is, but it’s adorable.

Sunset…

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three!