Caleb's Story: Rad's Law School Graduation, Goodbye to Anthony & Tiffany, & Caleb "Sings" in Church

So, last Friday was the big day! It was Rad's graduation from law school! The graduation was in Andover at 5:00, so we went out to eat at Maggiano's in Boston for lunch before the graduation. Steve had to go to work in the morning, but he left early and met us at the bridge so we could head into Boston together. There were about 35-40 of our relatives/friends at Maggiano's and we had our own private room, so it was really great. Maggiano's is known for their family-style dining, so we had a pre-set menu and they brought us however much we wanted of each menu item. It was so delicious, as always! So we had a lovely lunch and a good time visiting, and then in between dinner and dessert, people got up and said nice things about Rad, which was nice. I don't generally like speaking in public, but of course I had to say something about my brother!

It was great to have 7 out of the 10 cousins there! We missed Corey, Ricky & Jonathan!!

We knew it was going to be a long, tough day for Caleb with all the driving and a late night, but he did fine staying awake and happy in the restaurant even though his nap time is usually 12:00. He ended up napping for about 35 minutes in the car between the restaurant and the graduation at about 3:00. That was enough to tide him over, so that was good. We got in a ton of traffic in Boston heading up to Andover, but we had plenty of time to get there, so it wasn't a big deal.

So, the graduation started at 5:00. There were a couple of speakers and then Rad spoke. Anyone reading this already knows that Rad was selected to be one of the 2 student speakers because of his performance. He didn't find out until he got there, however, that he was actually the valedictorian! He was Magna Cum Laude and out of his class of 140, there were only 3 others with that distinction (and no one was Summa Cum Laude). So the other student speaker went first and she did well, but Rad totally blew her away. He was fantastic! We were all so proud of him!

Caleb did very well during the graduation. He stayed in most of the time, although I did take him out to change his diaper and let him run around a little bit after we saw Rad get his diploma.

After the graduation, we went outside and took a lot of family pictures before heading home after a long day.

We didn't leave until close to 8:00 and luckily Caleb went to sleep in the car on the way home. We got home around 9:30 and Caleb was in bed shortly after that. It was a very long day, but it was a high day!

Shawn and Camille and the kids came down for the weekend and stayed at our house. Luckily we have the playroom that is large enough for all of them to sleep in. I think it accommodated them quite well! Camden, Acadia & Caleb played together in Caleb's room on Sabbath morning before Sabbath School.

Camden and Acadia went with Caleb to Sabbath School and Acadia enjoyed it and participated but Camden just wanted to sit on Shawn's lap the whole time.

Acadia even got up front and sang with the class for church. We had been practicing a song for awhile and we didn't know that this was going to be the day we sang it, but it was! We sang "The Wise Man Built His House Upon a Rock". Caleb got up front and Steve tried to help him with the motions.

Sabbath afternoon we spent visiting with Shawn and Camille and the kids and then they stayed home to get their kids to bed early while we went to the Cape Cod Canal for a walk with our church. We walked about 3 miles and then came home to get our munchkin to bed!

Sunday morning I got up and worked so I wasn't very good company. Steve and Caleb entertained everyone for awhile and then they got ready to go and Steve and Caleb went out shopping at Home Depot, etc. We had a going away party for Anthony and Tiffany late Sunday afternoon at the Cragwell's house. It was a gorgeous afternoon and perfect for the party. It was a very sad time because we are going to miss them so much, but it was a fun time of fellowship and remembering the good times we had with them. Caleb had taken a 2 hour and 40 minute nap in the afternoon so that set the stage well for staying out a little later because of the party.

On Monday my parents left for a vacation to the West Coast, and I went to work and Rosalie babysat Caleb. She had never babysat him before, but I left her lots of instructions and he is so easy that I knew they would be fine. And of course they were! Apparently Rosalie was impressed with how well behaved he was and how he understood instructions well. It is always nice to get positive feedback from someone who is not biased!

On Tuesday we spent a lot of time in the playroom but we also went to our last play group at the library. That is the one we outgrew a long time ago, so I wasn't too sorry to see it end. It will also be nice to not be as tied down for the summer. But it is still a little sad because we have been going to that group since Caleb was 9 months old.

This is a giant caterpillar that Tina Carruthers gave me for my baby shower - Caleb loves to drag it around

At our play group

On Wednesday I had to go to Nantucket with one of my coworkers for the day and I didn't have a babysitter so Steve took the day off and stayed home with Caleb. He loves to be able to stay home with him but just doesn't have a lot of vacation/sick time. I had a nice day in Nantucket and the boys had a great day at home.

After I got back, I took Caleb to BJ's and Toys R Us. We needed more dog food immediately at BJ's and Rosalie and Caleb had lost Caleb's pacifier and clip on Monday, so we needed a new one. Then we went to Olive Garden for a last meal with Anthony and Tiffany. Rad and Jen and Yully were there too. Steve came for a few minutes but had to go to a church meeting. We had a good time, but our waitress was terrible. Caleb and I left before everyone else was done so he could get to bed. We had shed our tears on Sunday, so I didn't cry when I said goodbye to them on Wednesday night.

Yesterday we had our last other play group. Again, it is a little bittersweet. I am looking forward to being a little more unstructured in the summer, but it was also a fun group, so we are sorry to see it end. Hopefully there will be a similar one we can go to in the fall. Actually, one of my friends in play group told me about a water babies group at a local pond for the summer. There are 12 sessions and it is only $35. Unfortunately the first week is while we are at camp meeting and the last week is while we are in Nova Scotia, but we can go to 4 weeks of class (8 classes), so we signed up anyway because I think that is still worth it.

Finger paint for the last day!

Steve took Caleb to get a haircut on Wednesday - looks like such a big boy!

The rest of the day was spent in the playroom mostly, because I have had to be working so much this week. As of right now (Friday afternoon) I have worked 39 hours this week, when I am only supposed to be working 32. At least the way my situation is I can bank those extra 7 hours for another week when I don't have time to get all my hours in. Actually, that happened last week for Rad's graduation and I ended up using a vacation day because I didn't know I would get so many extra hours this week! Oh well. I am sure I will use them up this summer.

Well, that's about it. Here are a few more pictures from the week!