One Down, One to Go!

Hard to believe but another school year has come and gone! Evan graduated Wednesday from Kindergarten...yes, just kindergarten. It's like starting all over again cause...we are! It's been a really great year for him and myself cause I had the chance to work in his classroom quite a bit this year and he had an awesome teacher!  It was such a cute program  she put together, I know the kids enjoyed it.  On top of that, she burned discs for all the parents with a slide show to music and pictures of all the kids throughout the school year.  It took a lot to not cry but luckily there were a lot of funny pictures to keep us laughing more than anything!

A few of the moms put together refreshments and eats for the graduation.  It was very well done.  The group of moms we've had were fantastic, everyone was just so nice and friendly...unlike the typical "Parker" ladies.  Just down to earth and fun to work with!

Evan made a lot of friends in his class and all the kids were so sweet and a joy to work with.  Yes, even the girls were tolerable.  It's a long road for these little ones but as long as they have a lot fun along the way then it'll be OK!

Round and round we go

Another year has gone by since Evan graduated from his preschool class affectionately call Corduroy Court at Imagination Plus (I.P.). He now has graduated from their private kindergarten program and will start public school kindergarten at Mtn. View.

We have mixed feelings but will refrain from any changes until we see how he does when he starts in July. Douglas County requires that all eligible school aged children must attend their kindergarten program regardless of whether they have had previous schooling or not. So hopefully he won't too bored. To date, we don't even have a teacher hired for his track!! Oy Vay!!

Evan has learned so much at I.P. and reads to us now and has been since last year. It's amazing what a school full of dedicated teachers and limited number of students can do for a single child. However, he will now enter into a system so bankrupt that we're lucky they even have kindergarten!

As we move to another chapter of little Evan's life - we will fondly remember all the wonderful and sweet people at I.P. and thank them for all that they've done for Evan.

Finally....Graduation...

It was finally near May 18th and off we went to New Mexico to help Alexa celebrate 18 years of primary schooling and off to college this fall. It had been a while since we had driven there and thought it was going to be along trip but only about 6 hours; so we were there lickety split!

We decided that it would be fun to bring along the Wii as no one else there had played one before and it was a hit!! Even Mom & Dad got into it; it was great fun to watch them have some laughs! Cindy & family had enjoyed it so much they asked Kurt to hold the next one that comes out for sale aside for them and sure enough shortly after we came home a Wii came out for sale! We gave them a great deal cause we normally sell them for about $200 and they bought it for $140 with one remote but two nunchucks. They have since received it and has been playing it; which I'm sure they're playing it right now as we speak!! It's addictive!

We also met Steve's Mom Janette Christensen and his sister Sheri Miller. These ladies were just the nicest people ever! It was great they were able to make the trip. Janette came all the way from Florida and Sheri, like Mom & Dad, from Utah. Very sweet people!

Before leaving for the trip, Amy and I had discussed ideas of what to get Alexa for graduation. I guess I misunderstood her on the phone but I thought I had told her to go ahead and get what she had planned but that we were still shopping around ideas. She thought I said something to the effect of we'll buy her something once we all get to New Mexico!! So I already had my basket all made up and she ended up having to go to the store and put something together!! Sorry Amy!! Alexa said she could use some dishes up at the dorm so that's what I purchased for her; some cute plastic plates, bowls and drinking cups (low maintenance) and some eating utensils from where else but my fav store - TARGET!! Love that store!!

The ceremony was a bit hectic as we had the guys leave early to save seats. Well, little did we know that it would be a mob scene there and that people didn't care much that you were holding seats for family and friends. You were only allowed so many tickets per senior so I would assume that if you had a ticket, you have a seat??!! The people there didn't care and by the time the rest of us left for the ceremony, Amy's husband Lee was texting her every 2 seconds I swear and saying things like "The natives are restless" and "We're about to lose them" it was hilarious but unbelievable at the same time. They were not kidding because when we got there and sat down, any empty seats were asked about and when you said they were taken; ooooo, if looks could kill and I believe some people did get killed for their seats!! LOL!!! I could not believe it! There were over 800 students to get through and luckily Alexa's class was second so when she received her diploma, a majority of us left to avoid the traffic jam and waited for them at the house.

The graduation party was set up as an open house between 6-9pm and it was a great success! It was very nice meeting all of their acquaintances most from their church. Very funny and nice people; we had a great time.


Shortly after, dark clouds came brewing in and next thing you know we had a huge downpour and moved every thing inside. Luckily it happened near the end of the open house and there were only a few stragglers left.

I asked Cindy how she felt about Alexa going away to college. She got a bit choked up and said that it was going to be strange not having her around every day. I can only imagine what that would be like...you nuture, love and support this little being for years and now it's time for her to spread her wings and see what the rest of the world has in store for her!!

We're truly excited for her next adventure and somehow wish we could all go back to that time...of course, only knowing what we know now!!

How time flies...

Here we are nearing the graduation of the first "Wong" grandchild, Alexa! She will be leaving high school this May and entering BYU of Idaho this fall with the ambition of being a doctor. Where did the time go as we all ask ourselves whenever we reach these milestones. Wasn't it just yesterday when my little sister Cindy, Alexa's Mom, was herself graduating from Murray High? I swear it was and we're all definitely not 17 years older since Alexa came into this world!!

Mom & Dad received her invitation to the graduation and was so moved by it that they are actually going to fly out to New Mexico to attend...yes, I said FLY! How special is that? Either way, we're all making and/or rearranging plans to make it out there this May to help her celebrate this great achievement and might I add, with honors.

Through the years as I talked with Cindy on occasion she always mentioned all her kids excellent school grades and work. Especially with Alexa with all her advanced classes she took not only because she is intelligent but for the challenge of wanting to learn more and not be complacent with regular classes. That has passed on to Zane and no doubt will be passed onto Julia. It is always with amazement at how Cindy and Steve have managed to raise such sweet, courteous and smart kids. Kudos to you both!

I dedicate this blog today at a small glimpse of yesteryear and a look back at how our little Alexa went from a little girl to a lovely young lady...!

What a good sister to Zane and Julia!!

Remember when Alexa was going to marry Chewy!












Me and Little Alexa - What a cutie!