16 and Feeling Good!

 I got a little behind in my blog writing. There's just been way too much going on, so I'll try to keep it in order. 

Starting with Austin's 16th birthday! It was squished between banquets, prom, and a piano recital, but we celebrated it just the same.

He had his party with his friends a few days before. We bbq'd hamburgers, but the grill caught on fire, so we had to finish on the stove inside. Jason's a master at grilling burgers either way. They played games, chatted, and watched a movie. They all had fun, and I always enjoy hosting events for my kids. 

After the fire died down a bit, I thought to take a pic.

The gang!

Movie time!

The next day was Austin's piano recital, and he wowed us with his beautiful music. Two days later, on a Monday, was his actual birthday. He had passed his driving test 10 days earlier, but we weren't sure if he could drive the car yet because we thought he needed a confirmation email or letter. (In Michigan, they're issued their license when they receive their permit, but it gets upgraded as they go along the whole process.) We couldn't remember what Victoria and Kade did, but I don't think they took their tests until after their birthdays. The only reason Austin had an option of driving to school was that the seniors were done with school, so Kade wasn't going and didn't need the car. Plus, Kade's car already has the parking pass for the high school. So, we drove Austin on his birthday, just to be safe, but he drove to school the rest of the week when we received a confirmation email that his license had been upgraded.  

Beautiful grand piano!

Piano awards for completion and participation in Federation. 

The Birthday!

His buddies from elementary school who still live in the neighborhood and were at his party, stopped by on his birthday to play Poker!

I had to help with the middle school orchestra banquet set-up on his birthday, but we had homemade sub sandwiches and homemade mac and cheese with salad to make it a quick, but delicious birthday dinner. Kade's gift to Austin was an awesome Star Wars cake he made. Austin loves Star Wars! He got plenty of running clothes and accessories as well. 

"I have the high ground...!"

Candy from Erik.

Kade also got him a General Grievous LEGO mask. 

Cologne. 

All decked out from head to toe in new running gear!

The very next day was Austin's track ice cream social, where he was awarded the Rockstar t-shirts for the 1600 (1 mile) and 3200 (2 miles) for sophomores, as well as the Outstanding Long Distance Runner of the entire team. He's the 2nd fastest sophomore in Salem school history in both of those events and the 5th fastest overall in the 1600.

Rock star shirt awards.

I just missed Coach talking to him in this pic, but it was sweet. 

Salem Track and Plymouth Ward Buddies!

Awesome Sophomores!

Crazy Sophomores!

Rockstar t-shirt buddies (some of them).

I'm pretty sure he felt well-celebrated between his actual birthday and honors for his talents. The last "award" that I shouldn't neglect here is the paper plate award he received in Seminary, which was  "Cool, Calm, and Collected". He doesn't get ruffled in life very easily and just moves along in a happy, composed way. It is good for me to have his calming influence in our family. Happy Birthday to Austin!

Senior Prom!

 Kade got to attend the largest prom in the US, according to the man in charge. He reached out to the largest HS in the US in NY. Ours is considered one of the largest, but we do have the 3 high schools on one campus, however, we have one prom for all 3 schools. This year, 1600 students attended, more than the one in NY, so we made history. 

Kade made me very happy by wanting to host his friends at our house for dinner. He requested that Jason make his famous yogurt-marinated chicken, I make roasted potatoes, and Shirley Temples. I thought a nice salad would go well, and he agreed. I made the croutons from some old bread that I wanted to get rid of, and they turned out so well! 

I even got out my cloth napkins!

They enjoyed an early dinner before some of them got ready so they could keep their clothes clean. After finishing up, we all went to take pictures at a cute gazebo in Downtown Plymouth. After that, they were off to the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. They had to be there by 7:00, otherwise the doors would be locked and no one could enter. So, if anyone left, they couldn't reenter. I was glad they had some safety measures in place. 

Kade gave AJ the corsage at home. 

They matched very well!

After prom, they were supposed to go to a party, because why end all the fun at 10:30? It turned out that the party was cancelled because the hosts didn't feel like hosting anymore, so Kade and crew went to a friend's house nearby. He returned home by midnight- not bad! That was also the last day of school. And that's it! One more week til graduation. 

Orchestra Senior

 Kade participated in the orchestra at school for 7 years! That's the longest time possible through our school district. He went from really early morning classes as a middle schooler to during the day as a high schooler, with some time playing on Zoom for school during COVID. One of the few viola players, he stuck it out and thoroughly enjoyed his time playing. I was happy that he got to attend some after-school practices this year and play on the electric viola, though they never performed. He also participated in the pit for the high school spring musical, which was a treat!

Following are some pics of his last concert and I'll include his favorite song they played, plus the song the seniors played together. I think this was the best the Concert Orchestra has sounded in a long time!

These are the seniors.

Some of his besties.

Then we attended the last orchestra banquet for Kade. Jason and I got there a little late, so we couldn't sit next to each other, but we sat at the same table and I got to sit next to Mr. Edwards, the director himself! I would have been more emotional than I was, except for the fact that Austin will be rejoining next year after his year off to check off some other classes he needed to get in. I really love the orchestra program! Way to go Kade!

The Seniors!

The Senior gift was a blanket.