Life Around The World

ConGRADulations

"James wake up, it's grad day." I said opening his door as he stirred in his bed. "What time is it mom?" he asked as he rubbed his eyes and sat up. "It's 8:30 and Will is downstairs waiting for you."I replied closing his door so he could get changed. I made my way down the hall and into Macey's room to find her standing up in her crib. "Morning baby, do you want out?"I asked as I went over to the crib where Macey held her arms up for me to pick her up. "How about we go make some breakfast. Sound good?" I asked as we headed down the stairs and towards the kitchen.

"Hey there's my girls."Hunter said walking into the kitchen and over to the coffee pot. "What's for breakfast today?"he asked before taking a sip of his coffee. "Scrambled eggs and bacon with toast and some fruit." I replied as I put Macey in her high chair and began cooking. "Hey mom can you toss me a muffin please."James replied coming into the kitchen pulling his golf shirt over his head. I passed him a muffin as he placed a kiss on my forehead and headed out the door to get in Will's car so they could go pick up some stuff before we had to leave for their graduation.

After breakfast, I took Macey up to her room and changed her into her bathing suit before changing into my own and making our way into the backyard and slowly into the pool. "Hey, I'm going to head over to Haily's place and help her move something. It shouldn't take too long so I'll be back soon."Hunter said popping his head out of the back door. "Okay, we'll be in the pool."I replied slowly walking towards the pool steps. I turned on some music before getting into the pool with Macey in my arms. "Hey Mads, you here?"I heard coming from the house. "In the backyard!"I shouted as Auston and Mitch appeared from the door. "Hey guys."Auston and Mitch stepped out and came to sit over by the pool. "Hope you don't mind us popping over early today but we figured we'd come spend the day with our favourite family and come to James's graduation."Auston said "If that's okay with you guys."Mitch quickly added as I shook my head that it was no problem at all. "James had asked me if you guys were coming to grad today."I replied.

"Hey mom, I'm back!"James yelled through the patio screen before stepping out to see Auston and Mitch chilling in the backyard. "Hey buddy."Auston said as James made his way towards the pool and said hi to Mitch and Auston.The boys later got into the pool and started joking around. "Hey I'm going to get out now and start decorating the house for the party after."I said as they three looked over at me. "Here, I'll watch Macey for you if you want Maddie."Mitch said coming over to the shallow end and lifting Macey up into the air. "Thanks Mitch. If you guys need anything just let me know, I'll be in and out for a while." I said as I grabbed my towel and dried off.

Once I was dried off, I went in the house and changed into a pair of jean shorts and a tank top. Then, I gathered all the graduation decorations we had bought yesterday and went down onto the first floor of the house and began decorating just as Hunter walked through the door."Hey, I'm back and brought a helper with me."He said as Haily appeared from behind him. "Hey Haily, how's it going?"I asked as I opened a pack of streamers. "Good, we got everything moved into my new place."She replied helping me begin decorating the house for James's graduation party. "James back yet?"Hunter asked as Mitch came through the back door with Macey asleep in his arms. "Hey um Maddie... Did you want me to put her up in her crib?"he asked as Macey stirred in his arms. "You can put her in her play pen that's in the living room."I replied as he walked over to her play pen and placed her down gently.

"Hey James, you coming in to get ready for grad? We have to leave soon and it's already 1:30."I yelled as he stood up from the chair and ran into the house. "Yeah I'm going to have a quick shower and change then I should be ready."He replied walking past me and up the stairs to his room. Haily hung streamers from the door frames as I wrapped streamers around the posts. "Can we help with anything?"Auston and Mitch asked leaning up on the island. "Can you guys blow up some balloons and tie them on the trees outside?"I asked as Auston opened the pack of balloons and they began what I had asked.

Once the decorating was completed, I ran upstairs and had a quick shower as the boys watched some sports on tv. Once I finished my shower, I got changed and then gave Macey a snack before giving her a quick bath and changing her into a cute little summer dress. "Alright boys, are we all ready to go?"I asked coming downstairs with Macey in my arms and the diaper bag on my shoulder. "Ready!"

Once we found a parking spot and got into the school's gym, we found seats three rows back from where the graduates were sitting. We sat down and waited for the rest of our family to arrive. "Hey guys."Alex said sitting down next to Haily "Hey."We all replied. "Mom and dad on their way?"I asked as Sam found us and sat next to Alex."Yeah, they should be here soon."He replied waving to Mitch and Auston who were sitting on the other side of me. A few minutes later, both Hunter's parents and my own had shown up and the graduation began.

"James Hastings." The teacher announced as James stood up from his seat and we all cheered for him while he made his way up onto the stage. "James will be heading off to university in the fall with a full hockey scholarship." The teacher announced as I took pictures of James receiving his diploma and shaking hands with the principal. "YEAH BUDDY!" one of his classmates yelled as he held up his diploma with a proud smile. "ATTA BOY JAMES!" Both Mitch and Auston yelled.

Once the ceremony was done, the graduating class threw their caps up into the air as God's Planblasted through the gym. "Okay now we go into the school lobby and wait for him so we can take pictures."Hunter said as we all stood up and followed the crowd into the lobby. "Hey, there's my boy!"my dad said as James came around the corner still wearing his big smile. "Hey pops."He said as my dad brought him in for a hug and congratulated him. "Okay okay, picture time!"Nita and my mom said in unison as the told us to gather with him for one huge group picture before taking a picture of our little family.

"Hey, I want to get a picture of you with your sister before we take other pictures."I said as James took Macey from Hunter. "Come here Macey Moo."He said as she smiled at him. "Okay smile Moo moo."I said snapping a few pictures. "Oh can we get one with the kid?"Mitch asked as both he and Auston handed me their phones. "Okay get in close and Auston... can you smile for at least one picture please."I said snapping a few pictures just as Will came over. "Hey congrats Will."Hunter and I said as Hunter shook his hand. I snapped a few pictures of James and Will before we decided that we should head home so we can start cooking dinner for the family.

"Alright the steaks are ready!"Hunter yelled as Sam brought out the plates. Everyone gathered around and got their food before seating themselves and digging into dinner. "This is great!"Ty said as he took another bite of his steak. "Thanks dad."Hunter said cutting a piece of his steak. Everyone continued enjoying their meal as I went inside and began to get dessert out and ready to serve. "Need any help in here?"Nita asked bringing in the jug of punch and filling it up again.

After dessert was served, James opened his graduation gifts from everyone. "Thanks everyone for all the gifts and celebrating this milestone in my life."He said once he finished opening the last gift. The doorbell rang and James got up to go and get it. "Who is it?"Hunter asked. "It's Will, I told him he could come over after his family dinner. I hope it's okay but I also told him he could spend the night too."James replied opening the door to reveal William who had a gym bag slung over his shoulder.

The boys went for a swim as Alex started a fire in our backyard fire pit and I got stuff out to roast over the fire. Soon everyone slowly started to leave and we enjoyed the rest of the night out in the backyard.