Playing Catch Up: End of School, Graduation, and More!

Yes, it has been quite a while since our last post. We have been overwhelmed with end of school, high school senior activities and everything else going on. We left the last post with Kyle's lovely cast and fracture. While dealing with the cast at school was definitely not ideal, Kyle really wasn't all that upset to be out of PE at school. He got to report to the library for that class and read (which, as you know for Kyle, is certainly not a burden). He basically read about a book a day, with that extra reading time. I gave up on trying to keep up with him, instead, I was trying to give him as many series as I could think of that I had already read! When it was time to get his cast off, he was actually almost upset to have to go back to PE! Thankfully, though, he did get it off just in time to enjoy Spring Break without it.

Since this was Delaney's last high school Spring Break, we let her pick the destination. She basically wanted to go somewhere when it was warm and thought Florida and amusement parks sounded fun. She also invited a friend to hang out with her for the week, Shelby. So, off to Florida and Universal Studios we went. The weather was absolutely gorgeous; I think it was the best weather we have ever had on vacation. For the most part, we kept everything low-key: hanging by the pool, getting a pedicure, playing miniature golf, and beach time.









We even forced the kids to take a photo in their Captain America pajamas (go, Cap!).





It wasn't all just laid back; however, we had a great time at Universal Studios too. Everyone went together for one day, then Delaney and Shelby went back for several more. 





We got to check out all the Harry Potter stuff, the new King Kong and Transformers ride, and so much more. It was a blast!





Delaney and Kyle even unexpectedly met up with their cousins while checking out the Harry Potter stuff! What a surprise!!!



The last time we went to Universal was back in 2013. Check out the difference a few years can make. Crazy, right?





Kyle had his birthday on our road trip, too. He is now 14 years old! (* gasp *) Then a few weeks after we got home, Delaney had her senior prom. She and Phoenix went together, and they had a great time. After prom, they went with another couple and spent the remainder of the weekend at the beach up in St. Joseph, Michigan (with their dad for supervision, of course).







While Delaney was trying to finish up her senior year, she still had soccer games with Three Lions as well as University of Wisconsin Parkside events preparing for college. She was crazy busy! With UWP, she had an overnight with her soccer team, placement tests, an orientation day, and her "official" signing to play soccer for them. Delaney is now finished with Three Lions and ready to be a UWP player next year. Thanks to Mike, Graeme and all the Three Lions United family for several years of great soccer!





We were also up to our eyeballs in end-of-year school stuff: awards nights, taking senior pictures, getting ready for Delaney's graduation from high school, etc. Kyle won his last middle school award for reading the most books (Delaney got this twice and Kyle all three years).



Even though it didn't seem like it would EVER arrive, it was finally the last day of school -- well, half day actually. Hard to believe, but Delaney is officially out of high school. They both had fun after school plans. Delaney and her friends went mini golfing and out to lunch, then spent the day after in St. Joseph at the beach again, while Kyle had an end-of-school party at a friend's house. Good times!



Then it was finally here! Delaney's official graduation ceremony from high school; it is so hard to believe we are the daughter of high school graduate.







Delaney and I were a bit overwhelmed tackling the senior pictures. But we got through it all, and she got some great pictures. We ended up making her a couple of albums at Shutterfly. I made her a senior pictures album, while she made a senior year album documenting her last year of high school. We were frantically trying to get everything done and submitted, so it would be back in time for her graduation party. It was soooo nice to get it all finished!









Once the photo books were off for printing, it was now time to get ready for the graduation party. Delaney baked a ton of cupcakes, went through a ton of photos, and helped set up the backyard -- everything turned out wonderful! We had tons of help, too. Kenny's sisters and niece helped so much with the food and keeping the party running smoothly. We definitely couldn't have done it all without them.





Then, of course, Phoenix had his graduation party as well as Parker. And she and Phoenix have been graduation party hopping ever since.





Here is Delaney and Parker, from preschool to now:



We are enjoying what's left of the summer; there is not much left!

Luv,
Ken, Dani, Delaney & Kyle