Before there could be a graduation, there had to be a last day of school. Jane was getting ready IMG_0868 as were Sarah IMG_0869 and Benjamin. IMG_0870 Jane and Sarah were swapping shoe stories IMG_0871 as Suzanne IMG_0872 watched Benjamin's lunch bag IMG_0873 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 IMG_0874 and decided that a backwards picture IMG_0875 made sense for the last day but then realized that everyone would look better in a forward picture IMG_0876 IMG_0877 so we took some of each.

Next we decided to celebrate Father's Day, so I was given gifts IMG_0878 which I opened to reveal a shirt IMG_0879 and a pedometer IMG_0880 that talked. John came IMG_0881 and the kids climbed in IMG_0882 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 IMG_0883 so that the boys could check out their tree IMG_0884 while John and Emily Shea appeared IMG_0885 followed by Adam and Nate, IMG_0886 Elena and Carlota IMG_0887 and finally the Klockenbrink family. IMG_0888 Carol Mason somehow snuck in IMG_0889 so I couldn't capture her until the bus was long gone.

Graduation preparations began at home as Sarah adjusted her cap IMG_0890 IMG_0891 as Ben and Jane watched IMG_0892 and then posed for a few pictures IMG_0893 IMG_0895 as did Jane IMG_0894 and Benjamin IMG_0896 IMG_0897 who also tried this mirror shot IMG_0898 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 IMG_0899 by tying her shoes. Next we were off to the ceremony where the stage awaited IMG_0900 as Jane watched IMG_0901 and Claire and Olivia arrived IMG_0902 to try and reserve seats. Mr. Mapps was there IMG_0903 and glad to see Jane on so momentuous an occasion. IMG_0904 The crowd was assembling IMG_0905 as the skies darkened a bit IMG_0906 as Tom arrived IMG_0907 and the cameraman IMG_0908 IMG_0909 set up. This gentleman blocked my picture IMG_0910 but finally I could capture the stage IMG_0911 once more. Vince Poor was there IMG_0912 and Hank Farber arrived IMG_0913 to try and focus a picture IMG_0914 with his new camera IMG_0915 but maybe nothing came out. The graduates started to march IMG_0916 IMG_0917 IMG_0918 IMG_0919 from some distance which got Mr. Huang's camera out IMG_0920 and made Sylvia IMG_0921 Dan IMG_0922 and Suzanne IMG_0923 happy that something was about to happen. The school board assembled IMG_0924 as the camera folks jockeyed for position IMG_0925 to get their pictures of Sarah IMG_0926 IMG_0927 IMG_0928 IMG_0929 IMG_0930 at the head of the class as the rest of the gang IMG_0931 marched in and got ready for the pledge of alliegence IMG_0932 which Sarah led IMG_0933 as Catherine Marchetta IMG_0934 arrived late. Next, Sarah introduced IMG_0935 IMG_0936 IMG_0937 the Inspirational Choir IMG_0938 which she watched with Ms. DeLuca IMG_0939 IMG_0940 IMG_0941 IMG_0942 IMG_0943 and then she was ready to speak IMG_0944 IMG_0945 IMG_0946 IMG_0947 IMG_0948 IMG_0949 which brought the rains. So we moved indoors IMG_0950 in a bit of chaos as everyone assembled IMG_0951 and Sarah waited impatiently IMG_0952 until Carly spoke IMG_0953 which led to the awarding of the diplomas IMG_0954 and eventually Sarah got in line IMG_0955 and got her diploma IMG_0956 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 IMG_0957 was happy to be graduated as were Jess IMG_0958 and her mother. IMG_0959 The Clarks IMG_0960 are now empty nesters. I captured the May 17 club IMG_0961 and Jon Huang IMG_0962 and eventually found Sarah and Claire IMG_0963 IMG_0964 so that we could go to the diploma line and get this IMG_0965 proof of concept for which flowers IMG_0966 were awarded.

Once at home, Alex Dahlen was amusing the Coiros IMG_0967 when the Fuccello's arrived IMG_0968 along with the Hallett family IMG_0969 (and new addition). Julianna greeted Ruth IMG_0970 which amused Dansyl IMG_0971 though the Russels IMG_0972 wondered what Peggy Skemer and her mother IMG_0973 were thinking. Liz Dahlen and Peggy Skemer IMG_0974 explained which fork I was supposed to use as Olivia arrived IMG_0975 bearing gifts. The gang sat IMG_0976 as people clustered IMG_0977 and Jon Huang marvelled as IMG_0978 this unknown gentleman IMG_0979 appeared. This made the women assemble IMG_0980 as Alex talked to his grandfather IMG_0981 and the cake appeared IMG_0982 IMG_0983 ready to be cut. John Byers posed with his sister IMG_0984 and then the whole family (sans older brother) IMG_0985 IMG_0986 stood for some family pics. The gang IMG_0987 was there. The Harvey's posed as a family IMG_0988 as did Helen and Anne IMG_0989 and then Peter IMG_0990 of the Sarnak-Nissenbaum crowd. Dan Yi was there IMG_0991 trying to erase some strikes to the amusement of Sarah and Maggie IMG_0992 as Lily watched IMG_0993 and her father mugged IMG_0994 for the camera. Julianna and Karen posed IMG_0995 and then Julianna posed with Sarah IMG_0996 as we discussed when they had first met. Everyone loved Benjamin's book IMG_0997 and was discussing the sequel as Piya arrived IMG_0998 and Jane made it official IMG_0999 that it had truly been a long day.