It's a High School Graduation

No, it isn't a Harry Potter convention...

It's a high school commencement ceremony. Mikey's, to be exact. And his girlfriend's.

Although, from the sagacious looking hair and beard, and the funny and quirky trinkets the graduates wore, you'd be convinced it was a Harry Potter convention.

This is Mikey's dad, not a professor of magic arts.

This is Mikey's mom, Cousin Ain.

This is Tita V, also known as "Nana" to Mikey, or "Grandma" to Jamesie Cat.

And that's Mattie, in the middle, with the glasses. Mikey's little brother, his sidekick, his shadow, his friend.

And Mikey's other little brother, Jamesie Cat, who's bored, and probably thinking "Graduation, schmaduation! I'm hungry!"

This is Mikey's other little brother too. A five year old too well spoken for his years, and according to his parents, a very good reader.

And of course, here is Mikey's fan club. Alexi, Ellery, and Alex. Or is it Alex and Ellery? Twins, I can never tell the difference between them!

We were all there to watch Mikey ascend the steps to receive his diploma...

And descend the steps to join the ranks of regular, working people. Hah!

[Don't let all the caps and gowns fool you, Mikey; you're one of us now.]

[So revel in this moment, Mikey. Because now you have to toil and labor to put gas in your car. And you have to VOTE!]

[This is only the crossing of the threshold to responsibility, accountability, and independence. And did I mention toil and labor?]

After the ceremony, we waited for our graduate in the lobby.

And waited... And Mikey's dad is probably pondering the financial repercussion of college...

*I have three more after this one!*

And waited...

In the meantime, Mikey's two other little brothers got to know each other. They had a passionate conversation about Daniel "Dan" Kuso, Shun Kazami, Choji "Marucho" Marukura, Runo Misaki, etc., etc., etc. For those of you who are not familiar with the names, these are Bakugan Battle Brawlers. From a cartoon show. Hello! These boys are five years old!

And waited...

Did you know that Tita V was a teacher? 

... and a match maker who has met her match.

And waited... eyeballing a very nice looking subject for his lens...

Finally! Mikey emerges from the clutches of his fellow graduates. Well, what, with being the class vice president and all, he can't help being sought out and grappled by his fans!

Then we get our chance to hug and kiss him, and express pride and encouragement for his achievement.

And then Mikey says "I have to be at a party..." Hmph.

 

And that's ok, because we still have this one's graduation to attend in a couple of years...

So we all smiled and took more pictures with Mikey, savored this milestone, and worked up our appetites. Unless you already know this, reader, islanders have a voracious appetite!

And off we went, to Bobby's Hawaiian Style Restaurant to appease the revolution in our tummies.

[Alex? Ellery?]

[Ellery? Alex?]

And you know it's time to go home when the Bakugan conversation is over, and the two five year olds are not talking to each other anymore.

Congratulations Mikey! Here's to a successful college career, and prosperous "real world".

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A Day on the Town with Jaida Bug

Last week, my college roommate came to visit. Having visitors is a wonderful opportunity to get reacquainted with our great city. It's also a wonderful opportunity to show off how cooperative and obliging Jaida Bug is.

She always, always, ALWAYS wakes up happy. Boy, what I'd give to wake up at least content everyday.

That crinkly nose can mean two things: she's complaining, or, and most of the time, she's expressing delight. How can you not be happy with a fistful of a Red Robin steak fry?

She really doesn't like the hat, but tolerate it. Yours Truly should have worn her wide-brim hat, because she got a nasty sore from too much sun that day.

We borrowed Jamesie Cat's stroller that day. Thank goodness Jaida Bug acquiesced to sitting in it, because she's getting quite too heavy to carry all over the city. Besides, she makes a very nice looking accessory on Uncle 5-Star.

Just the other day Mayet commented that Jaida Bug "explodes" out of her diaper only when she's with me. Well, I've figured out the reason for those "unladylike" episodes. She eats! A. LOT. (No, she didn't eat half that piroshky, but she does eat anything you give her.)

Jaida Bug started walking within the last two weeks. It's a new-found freedom for her! Now she can explore anything that strikes her fancy, including that yucky, pasty glob on the side walk of the Victor Steinbrueck Park, on the north end of Pike Place Market. You just tell her "Yucky!" though, and she knows what you mean.

Finally, she just couldn't stand to stay seated anymore. No pun intended.

The Underground Tour is something Jaida Bug highly recommends for first time visitors who want to know the knitty gritty of Seattle. Also, it's a nice place for a lullaby from Eric.

CLICK HERE to see video.

From atop the Space Needle, Jaida Bug can show you where her kuya Shea Bear used to live.

Then she goes right to sleep when we get home...

And the next morning, she's up, bright eyed and bushy tailed, with a smile, ready to go to work with Tita Netty.

That's Jaida Bug!



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Race for The Cure

There was a big stink about the Susan G. Komen foundation and Planned Parenthood clinics a few weeks ago. The foundation withdrew their financial support to the health care provider, and immediately lots and lots of people lambasted and withdrew their support from the foundation. The most significant fundraiser event that the foundation hosts is walking/running races. You can't mistake a Susan G. Komen event by the pink motif. According to the media, the races participation was down 30% in the aftermath of the foundation quitting the health care provider.

But Mayet was not in that thirty percentile. She invited me to join the race. "For Aunt Suzie," she said. "Join our race for the cure team! [click to visit link] TEAM WHIZZIES.

So, I got up early, bright eyed and bushy tailed, met up with Team Whizzies at the start line, and bang!

We took off from the start line amid cheers. And through the race we were encouraged by cheerleaders wearing pink ribbons over their hearts.

Everytime I came to a hill, I asked myself why am I here on an early, gorgeous Sunday morning while everyone at home is snuggled up warm in bed, my lungs gasping for precious air, and my legs buckling beneath my jiggly rolls? 

Then I look to my left... a survivor, indicated by the special pink hats they wear... and to my right a fighter, her head bald as a new born babe's... both running abreast me. And when they smiled at me, they're eyes twinkling with determination, I knew I had absolutely nothing to complain about!

What's a little sweat? What's a short-lived charlie horse? What's a blister on my pinky toe? What's thirty five minutes of our day compared to a life time of courage and a generation of bravery?

No more than thrity-five minutes later, Team Whizzies (three of six members anyway) met to compare hill challenge stories and personal bests. 

I must confess, races are really about personal bests. But today we ran for these women...

1. Aunt Suzie F 
    loving sister of Greg, IN HER MEMORY.

2. Tita V
    loving, protective aunt, FIGHTER.

3. Mama D
    gracious, funny, loving aunt, SURVIVOR.

4. Ati D
    beautiful, gentle cousin, SURVIVOR.

4. Leeanne E.
    devoted mother of four little children, friend,
    IN HER MEMORY.

This race is for you!"

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