Everybody sing it! from simplyChuck on Vimeo.

Jada was doing a bit of caroling all by herself, much to our pleasure. Precious is as precious does.

You see, we had one of those eventful weeks that leave a lasting impression on the heart, soul and pocketbook. Which events are these you ask? None other than the graduation from high school of my oldest child and only son and the graduation from pre-school of my four year old daughter.

I’m grateful these events occurred a couple of days apart. Had they been back to back I’m not sure my increasingly feeble mind and weepy soul could have handled it.

Today I feel old

When one is busy doing the parenting thing one is often too busy to consider what the future holds. I find myself particularly blessed in this regard. Having children from two distinct times in my life allows me to live in this odd place where the past never truly escapes me and present victories and pitfalls are certain to be revisited at least a few more times.

Watching my son graduate was a pretty intense and satisfying time. I’ve always struggled to really know my son, rather I have always felt I should or could know him better. The kind of knowing that comes with living with someone day in and day out for years. Precisely the kind of knowing I have been without due to the limitations that come with the badge of divorce. Alas, all was not lost. Our relationship is intact and I expect will only improve now that he will be venturing out on his own.

I’ve been to a couple of graduation ceremonies over the years and always look at the kids in their caps and gowns and cannot help but be a little envious of the life they may be entering into. The new adventures. The unseen challenges. The opportunities to change the world. This ceremony had two student speakers and at one point they commented on the sorry state of the U.S. economy. They said something akin to, “the generations that have stood before us have really made a mess and they aren’t going to be the one to clean it up. We are.”. This caused many visitors to groan, laugh or simply shake their head. The students are right. It was a fair shot. No pressure kids, but I’m kinda looking at you to fix this mess too.

Today I feel young

My oldest children are 18 and 14. If I attended their pre-school graduations I don’t remember it. It’s more likely I didn’t know about the event or was told too late in the game to attend. No more. I relish every moment with my little girls and the four year olds pre-school graduation was no exception.

The class got together and performed a few choreographed songs for the event. The teacher presented each child with their graduation certificate and announced a few facts for each child. One of these facts was what the children wanted to be when they grew up. Amid the proclamations of doctor, zoo worker, teacher and mom my daughter said she wanted to be a princess. Sure, this career choice isn’t grounded entirely in reality but it could happen. I like the idea that my little girl isn’t entirely grounded in reality either. That will come soon enough, and for what it’s worth … my girls have always been and will always be my little princesses.

So there we have it. Two graduations. One at the beginning and another at the end, with a very proud dad smack in the middle.

It happened at his high school just as lunch was beginning. The athletic director brought a couple of chairs from his office and set them behind an old folding table. Students filled the cafeteria. Most of them were there to eat but a few of his friends held off on lunch long enough to congratulate the boy and one of his friends who was also signing today.

They did the whole college signing thing as the two families took pictures. At one point they put on the baseball cap of the college they will be attending in the fall. My son had a nice smile on his face the whole time. It was really great to just watch him. To fade into the background and observe the teachers offering congratulations as they passed by. To see the teammates smack him on the back or work themselves into a picture or two.

He’s planning on leaving for college in June. Apparently only the hardcore “dogs” start training early and he is expected to start his freshman year. Gratefully he’s only going to be a couple of hours from home. Far enough away for him to do his own thing but not so far that I can’t help him in a moments notice. Being close makes me happy. Leaving early, not so much but these are for mostly selfish reasons and what isn’t selfish is grounded in worry. Such is a fathers life.

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Roll call:

The boy (aka, the brother)– the 17 year old
The girl (aka, the big sister) – the 13 year old
Ava – the 4 1/2 year old
Jada – the 2 1/2 year old
Tessa – the newborn

For the longest time Jada has been the baby. We seemed to encourage her to stay the baby over the last couple of years, not knowing for certain if we would be welcoming a third or not. We let her keep her pacifier longer than Ava did. We’ve put off potty training or at the very least have not been very aggressive in moving her from diapers.

We spent so much time with Ava on the basics, letters, numbers, colors shapes and the like. When Jada came along there simply wasn’t as much time for this one on one instruction and instead of the structure we had used with Ava, Jada got OJT (on the job training) with probably the best instructor of all, her sister.

We were always conscious of Jada’s milestones and made sure she didn’t fall behind where we thought she should be. She never has fallen behind but she reached them at her own pace which seems to be the way Jada likes to do things. Ava is different, she likes a schedule. She prefers lists. Jada doesn’t really buy into anything until she has convinced herself that it is the way to go and there is little rushing these revelations. Once we figured this out it made things easier for everyone, especially Jada.

Both Ava and Jada have taken to their new sister incredibly well. We aren’t surprised. These girls are the most nurturing, loving children we know. It sometimes seems they are more in tune with the feelings of those around them than they are their own. We may have nurtured this awareness but there is no denying they were born with it. They really do amaze us each and every day.

Tessa is so lucky to have them as big sisters. As Jada learned so quickly from Ava I’m sure Tessa will learn just as quickly from both Ava and Jada. She will have the benefit of both of their distinct personalities.

Time goes by too quick.

The infant phase passes in the blink of an eye. Before long Tessa will be sauntering around the house with the same confidence and cavalier nature her sisters possess.

It’s best to stay about the business of enjoying the baby Tessa then.

She was born at 1:15 AM, today. Baby and Mom are doing just fine.

Weight: 8 lb 7 oz

Length: 20.5 in

Head: Full of black hair

… in other words, she’s perfect.