Go, Mean Green!

This morning Julie and I and the kids went to their local credit union to open a special kids' savings account for Sam as a fifth birthday present to him. Cate already has her own savings account. Sam got his own account card and a green piggy bank, too. He's very proud of his new account.

Today was a red letter day (or maybe a green letter day) for our family. My oldest granddaughter, Kelley, graduated from the University of North Texas (colors green and white). She got her degree magna cum laude in kinesiology from the College of Education. She was cheered on by her family and friends, who are all very proud of her.

[photos later]

The graduation was held in the Coliseum and followed the usual script, with the presentation of the colors, the playing of Pomp and Circumstance while the faculty and graduates marched in, welcoming remarks by the president, and the conferring of degrees. What caught me a little by surprise was that there was no commencement speaker.

This was one of several commencement ceremonies held for the fall semester, with business and education students being called by name one by one as they proceeded across the stage, received their diplomas (or rather, diploma covers) and were congratulated by the appropriate dignitaries.

In other words, it was a bit boring, except for the moments when we spotted Kelley in her seat and when she was on the stage. This was especially true for her younger cousins, Cate and Sam. We're hoping that attending this academic function will incline them towards pursuing studies of their own, in due time.

Kelley plans to substitute teach for a couple of nearby school districts in the spring and then get a full-time job for the fall. Meanwhile, she and her friend Mason are excited about the Caribbean cruise that is Blake and Terri's graduation gift.

We went to Blake's mother's house (Nana Jan) for the graduation party in the evening. Kelley's Aunt Fran and Uncle John drove up from Lufkin for the party. Blake's sisters, Pam and Heather, Heather's son Nicky, and Heather's mother-in-law, Peggy, and her husband Bill and her sister Belle were there too. Pam's son Morgan and his wife Sarah joined the party. Much of the time was spent in looking at old photos (on the computer, of course) and reminiscing about family memories.

The highlight of the day was the opportunity to toast Kelley with champagne or sparkling grape juice, but most of all with lots of love. When Kelley and Mason left the party, they were on their way to "par-tay" for one last time with college friends in Denton.


I rode with Ed and Julie and kids. We stopped at Starbucks for something warm to drink and headed to see the Christmas lights display in the nearby subdivision of Interlochen. I say that was the plan, because after seeing the incredibly long line of bumper to bumper traffic waiting to see the lights, we decided that it would take hours to get to see the first light. It was late already, and the kids were nearly asleep, so we headed for home.