Before there could be a graduation, there had to be a last day of school. Jane was getting ready as were Sarah and Benjamin. Jane and Sarah were swapping shoe stories as Suzanne watched Benjamin's lunch bag for the last time this academic year.

It being the last day, we decided we had to take a picture in front of the tree. We pondered the possibilities and decided that a backwards picture made sense for the last day but then realized that everyone would look better in a forward picture so we took some of each.

Next we decided to celebrate Father's Day, so I was given gifts which I opened to reveal a shirt and a pedometer that talked. John came and the kids climbed in for the last ride.

So, Benjamin and I were ready for the walk to the bus stop. We got there first but then Chip and Will arrived so that the boys could check out their tree while John and Emily Shea appeared followed by Adam and Nate, Elena and Carlota and finally the Klockenbrink family. Carol Mason somehow snuck in so I couldn't capture her until the bus was long gone.

Graduation preparations began at home as Sarah adjusted her cap as Ben and Jane watched and then posed for a few pictures as did Jane and Benjamin who also tried this mirror shot to see if we could get good framing on him.

Once at school, Sarah demonstrated that in 12 years of education she had learned some valuable lessons by tying her shoes. Next we were off to the ceremony where the stage awaited as Jane watched and Claire and Olivia arrived to try and reserve seats. Mr. Mapps was there and glad to see Jane on so momentuous an occasion. The crowd was assembling as the skies darkened a bit as Tom arrived and the cameraman set up. This gentleman blocked my picture but finally I could capture the stage once more. Vince Poor was there and Hank Farber arrived to try and focus a picture with his new camera but maybe nothing came out. The graduates started to march from some distance which got Mr. Huang's camera out and made Sylvia Dan and Suzanne happy that something was about to happen. The school board assembled as the camera folks jockeyed for position to get their pictures of Sarah

at the head of the class as the rest of the gang marched in and got ready for the pledge of allegiance which Sarah led as Catherine Marchetta arrived late. Next, Sarah introduced the Inspirational Choir which she watched with Ms. DeLuca

and then she was ready to speak

which brought the rains. So we moved indoors in a bit of chaos as everyone assembled and Sarah waited impatiently until Carly spoke which led to the awarding of the diplomas and eventually Sarah got in line and got her diploma or at least the holder, so that we could be freed from the heat of the gym and the bad distance properties of the camera.

Lily was happy to be graduated as were Jess and her mother. The Clarks are now empty nesters. I captured the May 17 club and Jon Huang and eventually found Sarah and Claire so that we could go to the diploma line and get this proof of concept for which flowers were awarded.

Once at home, Alex Dahlen was amusing the Coiros when the Fuccello's arrived along with the Hallett family (and new addition). Juliana greeted Ruth which amused Dansyl though the Russels wondered what Peggy Skemer and her mother were thinking. Liz Dahlen and Peggy Skemer explained which fork I was supposed to use as Olivia arrived bearing gifts. The gang sat as people clustered and Jon Huang marvelled as this unknown gentleman appeared. This made the women assemble as Alex talked to his grandfather and the cake appeared ready to be cut. John Byers posed with his sister and then the whole family (sans older brother) stood for some family pics. The gang was there. The Harvey's posed as a family as did Helen and Anne and then Peter of the Sarnak-Nissenbaum crowd. Dan Yi was there trying to erase some strikes to the amusement of Sarah and Maggie as Lily watched and her father mugged for the camera. Juliana and Karen posed and then Juliana posed with Sarah as we discussed when they had first met. Everyone loved Benjamin's book and was discussing the sequel as Piya arrived and Jane made it official that it had truly been a long day.