I just came across the program from Cody's graduation and I have the wrong lyrics for the song that the teachers sing. I put in earlier the old 70's version from Carole King or somebody like her ... her are the correct words, by Bill Staines:
Child of mine, you are the wildest wind
And the dearest dream I will ever know.
Love's lasting light shines out from deep
Within this father's heart as I watch you grow.
Child of mine you are the break of dawn
And the brightest star I will ever know.
Love's lasting light comes shining on and on
From this mother's heart as I watch you grow.
There is a road, and that road is all your own.
But we are here, you need not walk alone
To face, not fear, each coming new unkown
Is the way to lift your wings.
Child of mine, you are the sweetest song
And the greatest gift I will ever know.
Child of mine, where spirits fly above
There is but one that belongs to you
So let it grow, and it will thrive on love
For it is love that sees us through.
You have the hands that will open up the doors,
You have the hopes this world is waiting for,
You are my own, but you are so much more
You are tomorrow on the wing,
Child of mine.
So much sweeter than the version I put in earlier.
Followers
Friday, June 15, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Graduation Party
Saturday night we co-hosted a graduation party for the graduates. The graduates are the 8th graders (Cody's class) and the four 9th graders. The first part of the party was at our friend Emily's house. There was the trampoline, fuseball, ping-pong, eating, and dancing to the DJ on the rented dance floor.
Emily has a daughter, Maddie in the 8th grade and a daughter Helen in Seby's class. She was going to be at the party so we just had to bring Seby & Zane along for the fun (Emily also has Jack, Maddie's twin brother, and sister Caroline - they attend a different school). Seby & Zane were quite excited because the plan had been to leave them at home with a sitter.
Here are Seby & Helen bouncing on the trampoline. In the pink shirt is Caleb, a close friend of Cody's. He has had a few sleepovers here and we are all quite fond of him. Seby & Zane adore Cody & Graham's friends, the ones that are never bothered by them rank high in my book.

The kids had the many different activities and just hanging out. The party was for the 8th & 9th grade graduates and the 7th graders. It is close group of kids and we just had to include everyone. Here are Cody & Graham hanging with some friends.

Seby was so excited to just be around these big kids, but to have them let him really hang with them was quite a treat. According to Seby (and backed up by Graham) he "kicked butt" playing ping-pong. Here he is playing with Nelle, who today I learned from her mother is going to marry Graham. I have yet to get more information from Graham about all this!

This group of kids were so great. We weren't sure how this big party was going to go, especially with bringing some younger kids along. But they all were so great with the younger guys. I love this pic of Seby playing fuseball with the BIG kids.

Zane was so eager to dance and was just thrilled beyond belief to have Tori (a 7th grader) dance with him. I was "chaperoning" the back of the house when I was told I just HAD to go up front to the dance floor to catch some pics of Zane and Tori dancing.

I guess I missed a great shot of the two of them "slow dancing" - Tori on her knees the whole time! Too cute. I told Zane that this was really Tori's party and to not demand all of her attention. Of course she insisted that he could dance as long as he wanted with her. Too sweet.

Here is Cody with his good friend Louis.

Louis has had many a sleepover and playdates at our house and somewhere along the line has been nicknamed "best friend" by Seby & Zane. Here are Seby, "best friend" Louis, Graham, Caleb & Cody hanging.

More hanging out by Nelle (or should I say future daughter-in-law?), Louis, Graham & Rosie.

After the party at Emily's the 7th graders were picked up by parents and we then brought all the 8th & 9th graders back to our house for a late "party" and sleepover. We "transported" them by bringing a carload at a time back to the house. By about 11pm we had them all here and had them watch the classic "Airplane" outside projected onto the carraige house wall. Luckily we were able to find enough chairs/benches/camping pads for them all the cozy up and watch the movie. After the movie they all made smores than off to bed!

Luckily I had "girl duty" in the house, they all passed out quite quickly. Slade had "boy duty" out in the carraige house - the boys were all up on the second floor with Slade sleeping on a couch on the first floor. I think they finally quieted down around 2:30am.

In the morning we made pancakes and more for a breakfast feast and more hanging. They were all so great together and it was really a treat to have the party for them. We had to "rope" off the newly laid sod with CAUTION tape, it had only been laid down a few days before. But luckily with all the pavers and the parking pad without any cars, there was plenty of room without the grass area.

We realize that we might just have to do this party again for Graham next year when he graduates the 8th grade, so it was a good training ground to see what it would be like. Luckily it was a truly great group of kids, due in a big part to their Montessori schooling, I just have to include the school's mission statement: "Lake Country School is an urban-based Montessori community whose purpose is to help children prepare themselves for life. We seek to mirror and embrace the rich diversity of the city. We foster independence, critical thinking, respect and responsibility to self, to others and to the earth." We look forward to many more years here in this wonderful community.
Emily has a daughter, Maddie in the 8th grade and a daughter Helen in Seby's class. She was going to be at the party so we just had to bring Seby & Zane along for the fun (Emily also has Jack, Maddie's twin brother, and sister Caroline - they attend a different school). Seby & Zane were quite excited because the plan had been to leave them at home with a sitter.
Here are Seby & Helen bouncing on the trampoline. In the pink shirt is Caleb, a close friend of Cody's. He has had a few sleepovers here and we are all quite fond of him. Seby & Zane adore Cody & Graham's friends, the ones that are never bothered by them rank high in my book.
The kids had the many different activities and just hanging out. The party was for the 8th & 9th grade graduates and the 7th graders. It is close group of kids and we just had to include everyone. Here are Cody & Graham hanging with some friends.
Seby was so excited to just be around these big kids, but to have them let him really hang with them was quite a treat. According to Seby (and backed up by Graham) he "kicked butt" playing ping-pong. Here he is playing with Nelle, who today I learned from her mother is going to marry Graham. I have yet to get more information from Graham about all this!
This group of kids were so great. We weren't sure how this big party was going to go, especially with bringing some younger kids along. But they all were so great with the younger guys. I love this pic of Seby playing fuseball with the BIG kids.
Zane was so eager to dance and was just thrilled beyond belief to have Tori (a 7th grader) dance with him. I was "chaperoning" the back of the house when I was told I just HAD to go up front to the dance floor to catch some pics of Zane and Tori dancing.
I guess I missed a great shot of the two of them "slow dancing" - Tori on her knees the whole time! Too cute. I told Zane that this was really Tori's party and to not demand all of her attention. Of course she insisted that he could dance as long as he wanted with her. Too sweet.
Here is Cody with his good friend Louis.
Louis has had many a sleepover and playdates at our house and somewhere along the line has been nicknamed "best friend" by Seby & Zane. Here are Seby, "best friend" Louis, Graham, Caleb & Cody hanging.
More hanging out by Nelle (or should I say future daughter-in-law?), Louis, Graham & Rosie.
After the party at Emily's the 7th graders were picked up by parents and we then brought all the 8th & 9th graders back to our house for a late "party" and sleepover. We "transported" them by bringing a carload at a time back to the house. By about 11pm we had them all here and had them watch the classic "Airplane" outside projected onto the carraige house wall. Luckily we were able to find enough chairs/benches/camping pads for them all the cozy up and watch the movie. After the movie they all made smores than off to bed!
Luckily I had "girl duty" in the house, they all passed out quite quickly. Slade had "boy duty" out in the carraige house - the boys were all up on the second floor with Slade sleeping on a couch on the first floor. I think they finally quieted down around 2:30am.
In the morning we made pancakes and more for a breakfast feast and more hanging. They were all so great together and it was really a treat to have the party for them. We had to "rope" off the newly laid sod with CAUTION tape, it had only been laid down a few days before. But luckily with all the pavers and the parking pad without any cars, there was plenty of room without the grass area.
We realize that we might just have to do this party again for Graham next year when he graduates the 8th grade, so it was a good training ground to see what it would be like. Luckily it was a truly great group of kids, due in a big part to their Montessori schooling, I just have to include the school's mission statement: "Lake Country School is an urban-based Montessori community whose purpose is to help children prepare themselves for life. We seek to mirror and embrace the rich diversity of the city. We foster independence, critical thinking, respect and responsibility to self, to others and to the earth." We look forward to many more years here in this wonderful community.
Cody Graduates 8th Grade!
I don't know why this pic came out this way, but it is the best one we have of Cody being honored by his peers for graduation.

The ceremony was this afternoon. It was too sweet. Two 7th graders write a few sentences to honor the graduates and they give them a small gift. The sweetest part of the ceremony is when ALL of the teachers from the school sing "Child of Mine" to them. For some of these students these are teachers that they have had since they were 3 years-old. It made me cry last year just catching a little of it. So, of course this year it was a kleenex moment.
I just had to include the lyrics:
Although you see the world different than me
Sometimes I can touch upon the wonders that you see
All the new colors and pictures you've designed
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine
Child of mine, child of mine
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine
You don't need direction, you know which way to go
And I don't want to hold you back, I just want to watch you grow
You're the one who taught me you don't have to look behind
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine
Child of mine, child of mine
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine
Nobody's gonna kill your dreams
Or tell you how to live your life
There'll always be people to make it hard for a while
But you'll change their heads when they see you smile
The times you were born in may not have been the best
But you can make the times to come better than the rest
I know you will be honest if you can't always be kind
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine
Child of mine, child of mine,
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine
Child of mine, child of mine
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine
Some of the teachers had graduates this year as well, I asked some of them how hard it was to sing this year. They each said they just had to not look at their child.
Seby and Zane were moaning about how hungry they were during the long, hot ceremony - only to emerge and get cake first! Of course I was so happy not to have them hanging on me that I said "eat, eat whatever you want from the tables."
After the ceremony and reception the JH teachers take all the graduates out to a fancy restaurant for dinner.

What a joy it has been to have Cody at Lake Country and watch him grow into such a sweet boy/man. He also had his first day of driver's ed today - so a big day for him. He won't get his permit until he turns 15 in September, but Slade will break the rules and take him driving up at the lake house on the back roads.
The ceremony was this afternoon. It was too sweet. Two 7th graders write a few sentences to honor the graduates and they give them a small gift. The sweetest part of the ceremony is when ALL of the teachers from the school sing "Child of Mine" to them. For some of these students these are teachers that they have had since they were 3 years-old. It made me cry last year just catching a little of it. So, of course this year it was a kleenex moment.
I just had to include the lyrics:
Although you see the world different than me
Sometimes I can touch upon the wonders that you see
All the new colors and pictures you've designed
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine
Child of mine, child of mine
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine
You don't need direction, you know which way to go
And I don't want to hold you back, I just want to watch you grow
You're the one who taught me you don't have to look behind
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine
Child of mine, child of mine
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine
Nobody's gonna kill your dreams
Or tell you how to live your life
There'll always be people to make it hard for a while
But you'll change their heads when they see you smile
The times you were born in may not have been the best
But you can make the times to come better than the rest
I know you will be honest if you can't always be kind
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine
Child of mine, child of mine,
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine
Child of mine, child of mine
Oh yes, sweet darling
So glad you are a child of mine
Some of the teachers had graduates this year as well, I asked some of them how hard it was to sing this year. They each said they just had to not look at their child.
Seby and Zane were moaning about how hungry they were during the long, hot ceremony - only to emerge and get cake first! Of course I was so happy not to have them hanging on me that I said "eat, eat whatever you want from the tables."
After the ceremony and reception the JH teachers take all the graduates out to a fancy restaurant for dinner.
What a joy it has been to have Cody at Lake Country and watch him grow into such a sweet boy/man. He also had his first day of driver's ed today - so a big day for him. He won't get his permit until he turns 15 in September, but Slade will break the rules and take him driving up at the lake house on the back roads.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
The Yard Is Finished!
The yard is finished (except for those last few details)! The sod has been laid, the trees planted, flowers planted, herbs, vegies, and climbing vines. This is the first year I've ever used so many annuals. They sure do bring instant satisfaction. All done in time for the big graduation party tonight (well actually it is 2:20am and the party is over, but it is a sleepover so over unti they all wake up). I just saw Slade out in the carraige house (he is sleeping out there with all the boys) using a first aid kit on someone, well I can see who but I'm not going to name names.
Here is the newly finished and newly loved playhouse thingy. Seby and Zane started playing with it from the first planks being put down. They enjoy the finished version a ton more!

I'm too sleeping to finish this post, it will have to wait until tomorrow, and more details about the party/sleepover on a new posting (with pics!). Let's just say I'm glad I'm in the main house with the sleeping girls, rather than out in the carraige house with the still awake boys. Yikes.

Here is the newly finished and newly loved playhouse thingy. Seby and Zane started playing with it from the first planks being put down. They enjoy the finished version a ton more!
I'm too sleeping to finish this post, it will have to wait until tomorrow, and more details about the party/sleepover on a new posting (with pics!). Let's just say I'm glad I'm in the main house with the sleeping girls, rather than out in the carraige house with the still awake boys. Yikes.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Happy 13th Birthday Graham!!!
Happy Birthday dear Graham! Graham is off on the JH bike trip this week. He returns late in the afternoon (along with Cody). I think that he is very excited about turning 13 and becoming a teenager. I love this pic of of him, but I don't think he does. Oh well, my choice here. Graham is a very sweet kid, who still let's me hug him and kiss him - even in front of his peers. Of course now that he is a teenager that may all change.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
The sod is here! The sod is here!
Papa's Birthday!
Monday, June 4, 2007
An Only Child
Zane is an only child for the next three days. Cody & Graham took off this morning on the Junior High Bike Trip! They are gone for the rest of the week to ride across northern Minnesota. Sebastian took off with his class to go to the Land School for three days.

Here is Cody getting onto the bus, the kids were moving fast and I only got this one pic.

At least I was able to get a good pic of Graham when he got on. They have both been riding their bikes to school for the last month or so, at least whenever the weather is good. They were thrilled once when they were riding and got caught in a down pour. Hopefully there won't be many of those this week.

Sebastian was so excited about going to the Land School for his three day trip. He was very worried that he was going to miss his bus this morning, it was pretty funny. Every few minutes he would ask "is it time to go?"

Though Zane will miss his brothers very much, he is having some fun on the newly, partially finished play structure. Still we don't have the sod in, hopefully tomorrow.

You can see in this pic, besides my beautiful boy riding his razor - the new brick containers that were built last week. There are two of these that border the yard (soon to be covered with sod!!!) and our walk-way.
Here is Cody getting onto the bus, the kids were moving fast and I only got this one pic.
At least I was able to get a good pic of Graham when he got on. They have both been riding their bikes to school for the last month or so, at least whenever the weather is good. They were thrilled once when they were riding and got caught in a down pour. Hopefully there won't be many of those this week.
Sebastian was so excited about going to the Land School for his three day trip. He was very worried that he was going to miss his bus this morning, it was pretty funny. Every few minutes he would ask "is it time to go?"
Though Zane will miss his brothers very much, he is having some fun on the newly, partially finished play structure. Still we don't have the sod in, hopefully tomorrow.
You can see in this pic, besides my beautiful boy riding his razor - the new brick containers that were built last week. There are two of these that border the yard (soon to be covered with sod!!!) and our walk-way.
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