It's official...he graduated

Procession into the convention center

Today was the big day for Central High School's class of 2011. It was definitely bittersweet as the day lead  up to the graduation ceremony. Since our grad time was 6pm, we had a luncheon with family and friends and then dessert to end the day.

wanting me to snap the picture so we could enjoy the Mexican feast

mom and I made cake balls for dessert

Nathaniel crossing the stage

Had to kick off the shoes after a long day

Matt, Isaac, Mark and Nate in the back
...well...being themselves
Nathaniel worked pretty hard in his high school years. He earned the gold stole for participating in the  Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP), red/gold cord for varsity sports and a metal for being a Advancement Placement Scholar. DAP and the Scholar program required quite a bit of extra classes, language and excelling on tests. However, his laziness/procrastination at times, kept him from being in the top 10 percent...as he wound up 7 slots away....bummer. I am not disappointed though. Nathaniel is my pride and joy!

It was a fun day and the high school years have been quite the experience with Nathan and his group of friends. They participated in the festivities...humored me with a few pictures to finish off the photo albums that I made each of them....and then they were off to "the Arcade" for what this group of guys do best....computer/video gaming.

Senior Year Flew by in a Flash

It is six days away from Nathaniel's high school graduation. I am filled with all sorts of emotions, but have contained them well thus far. I am amazed at how fast this year went by (and almost 18 years for that matter). Far too fast for this mother, as I reflect on the trials and great memories that the year provided. 

The challenges of a young man wanting independence....horrible physics projects....a first girlfriend....choosing a college...finishing a fourth year of swim...prom...and soon graduation. Of course there are many events that I have left out....too many car accidents...earning Eagle Scout Rank....good grades...etc.

I do know that I did a good job as a mother, as Nathan is prepared to go off to college and start a whole new adventure. He has proven (even with many of his opinions, views and political statements) that he has good morals and a decent work ethic thus far. My son has made me rise up to be a better person. He has taught me what unconditional love and learning is all about. And I hope that he has learned and seen these traits from me.

Some pictures throughout the year

 The guys painting their senior parking spots

 

 One of my favorite senior pictures

 Yes...my way too serious son does act goofy once in awhile

 Nathan and Pam at Transiberian Orchestra (Christmas time)

 

 A hooky day at the Fossil Rim Animal Park

 First two acceptance letters...and then he ended up choosing a state school

Mom twisted his arm to play in the snow with me

Prom with long time friend Isaac (and girlfriends)

And soon a whole new journey will begin for a very doting mom and a great young man!

Personal Best

Yesterday was Nathans last official swim meet of his senior year {tear tear for me}. This season has been so so at best.....but man...Nathan sure did fantastic in his last two meets.........Funny...........he did that last year. I   really wanted to see my son end his swim career on a good note. I believe he did this. Nathan was disqualified in one event and made a personal best in another. 

Going strong on his 100 butterfly

 only to be DQ'd on his last 10 yards as his arms became uneven

This was okay though, as Nathan still had his 500 freestyle to go. His best time ever was a 6:30 (last meet Jr year). I was hoping he would give it his all and he did. He started off strong and was able to keep the pace up. At this point I was just wanting to see Nathan get the bell (meaning that he was in first going into the last 50 yards)...He got the bell and we were all excited...however...he came in second {bummer}. He was barely touched out...but had a finishing time of 6:20. I think this was a fantastic way to go out!

Looking at the score board while catching his breath

Senior year and grades half over....

The first half of Nathans senior year has come to an end. It has been busy, exciting and a bruiser all in one. We have had our ups and downs....with me not wanting to let go....and one seventeen year old with severe senioritis and wanting to venture out {SIGH}...

But none the less....we made it through and he managed to finish with a report card looking like this.

This was a first in high school for this......and yet it was accomplished.....Nathan earned straight A's this past semester....and three of the classes were advanced placement. Not that this is a shocker. He is very intelligent. However so, laziness and boredom and have been a fixture for most of his schooling experience.

At the end of last year, we learned that Nathan was about seven or eight slots from being in the top ten percent of his class (currently a class of 730ish). We will have to wait about a month to see if he slipped into one of those slots.

Either way....I am doing the happy dance for a shear moment....and might actually have to put this report card on the fridge when it arrives....that's if he remembers to pull it out of his bag.

Quick summary of year

He has now officially entered his last semester of high school {sob sob}. One more AP class and his first college course to tackle. Two last college trips to finish up within the next months time. Final commitment to be made for his next education destination and experience. Sadly....we encouraged him to decline his acceptance to Cornell College (they just couldn't cough up enough scholarship money to make it a possibility). It was his first choice and his first real adult decision to be made.

His swim season has been so so and it has been a bit of a challenge to keep him enthused. Nathan has had his first girlfriend (official since October). He has continued to work at Gamestop and finally finished up his Eagle Scout Board of review this past November. Nathan was accepted into every college he has applied to...we are now on him to apply for multiple scholarships....feeling generous....the Nathan Wadkins education fund will gladly accept donations {smile}.

Last week, Nathan hit his head pretty good at swim practice and earned his first cat scan. Good news...he still has his brain intact.

This is a bittersweet time for me, as I continue in these next few months of having my son still under my wing. He has grown into a fantastic young man that I am so proud of and eternally grateful to be able to say I am his mom. May the stars be aligned and some more memorable times be had.

Too much swim team excitement

 

This sign was made by the boys

This past Saturday...we had our first official fundraiser of the season...and it was quite successful. Between, family, friends and the neighborhood we made a nice sum of cash.

Nathan trying to get someone with the hose

 Both the kids and the adults had a good time washing the cars and playing in the water. Well... except for one swimmer who Nathan poured a bucket of water on...and that is a whole other story.

Tyler and Bryce used their bodies as billboards

Becky and her friend

At this weeks meet, all of us volunteers were introduced to our new uniforms.....UGH!  Seriously, I never thought that I would have to wear a smock like this again after graduating from LVN school. Yes, sadly, in nursing school we had to wear Kelly Green aprons just like this. They were hot and covered all of our spirit shirts. It was obvious that the city/school district did not take this to the citizens for a vote.

Nancy Matthews, Becky Davis, Gail Stam and Me

This is why I like volunteering my time and energy. I have made some great friends and these gals are a  hoot to be around. Nancy is new to our group this year (and she is the one who got me my new job). And yes....we are sporting our new lovely attire....Sarcasm.

Swim Team and our Boat

It is homecoming time again and this year the weather decided to cooperate with us and let everyone enjoy a beautiful day. Last year it was an utter downpour. One of the swim dads (and a friend of mine) offered up his boat this year and it worked out fantastic

one of the favorite sayings for the swimmers

Bailey had the creative idea to tye dye balloons

 

Olivia, Bailey and Laurie

Nate, Pam and Alex manning the boat

Nate helping with finishing up the decor

 Carissa, Lori and Athena 

(sorry twins if I have it backwards)

                            

Two of our divers Teagan and Whit

Sneak Peek-Mum making is done

Sneak peek to the two we made for Nathans and Isaac's dates

For those of you who do not live in Texas (maybe the South....I'm not quite sure), homecoming mums are a tradition. You can get anywhere from a small single mum all the way to a large triple mum. Some girls are happy with simple ones and to other girls the fuller, blingier the better. Some will parade them around cute while others will wear them like a sash. Most of the time, they are as big as the girls and you wonder how they don't tumble over.

Kim (Pam's mom) giving a sneak peek to Nathans

Now don't think that the boys are left out. They are not. The guys wear decorated garters on their upper arms.

Now this is a racket for the crafting industry. So wish I would have been the one to come up with the idea. Can you say CHA CHING CHA CHING! If the kids are to purchase them at school, the small ones start out  around $75.00. The highest priced one that I saw at Michael's Crafts was about $275.00.

I set up a mum making get together with a few friends to save some moola. I bought supplies to make two 3 1/2 ft mums. I spent somewhere around $100.00 for both.  Now I thought that I was being clever and had purchased my supplies early. Only to realize that I bought the supplies for an under classman and had to return everything for the senior silver and white.

Mom (Kim) showing off the one for Isaac

I had offered to make one of Nathans friends his to help save him some money. Mom thought the idea was neat so I enlisted her help. I am not quite sure she enjoyed it in the end. And then some of the ribbons and trinkets fell off and I had to redo it.....Lets say two large mums is too much for me. Sadly, Becky was unable to make it or I would have a picture of a large three mum.

the top part or the mum itself

This is the top to the ones that I made. Bears tend to be the typical item placed in the center. You can do other things instead, for example, Becky was placing a hat and some miniature mums on hers. Personal creativity is the key. I just happen to know that Pam will like the bear.

The one on the left is the one Nathan is giving to Pam. I may add some more silver stars to the bear. The one on the right is Isaac's that he will give to his girlfriend Brittany. She had requested light pastel green ribbon (not at all the theme or school colors), so I think that I will change out the white bow that the bear is holding for her request.

I am excited for homecoming, glad that Nathan has a date and hope that both the girls like them. I labored today to finish them and I am now officially mummed out.

Cool Face

This morning, Isaac and Nathan got up early to finish their parking spots. The twins ditched out....lucky for them the design covered all four spots. There was a breeze making the heat a little more tolerable.

Isaac is totally talented and free handed their "Cool Face". Nathan was the touch up guy.

This is looking at the four spots from the standing on the spots next to theirs.

This is the view of all four spots as if you were pulling in. I told them that they need to outline the design in black. The white is a little blinding at times. I also recommended added the year....I was out voted.

Here is a small sampling of some of the creativity. Bryce is on the swim team.

Senior Pictures Arrived

I am pretty happy with all of the pictures. You can't hate a photographer because the subject does not smile. And really, Nathaniel's personality would truly not be captured if all the photos had smiles....he is a smirker.
These are just a sample of the shots taken. It will be hard to choose the one that I will include in his graduation announcements at the end of the year.

I could not resist having one last family picture taken. Sadly, Steve did not show up for that. But, we were able to capture this beautiful picture above.