Pomp and Circumstance

In May 1999, Hilton became the first in his family to graduate from college. This past May, Hilton's sister, Christy, set the bar super high for future generations, receiving her doctorate in Audiology from LSU Medical School. Not only was this a great accomplishment, it was also history in the making. This was the first group at LSUHSC in this program, which is the first approved Audiology Doctoral program in the state of Louisiana. Way to go, "Dr. Kiki"! The kids were so excited to cheer on aunt Kiki , see Grandpa Boover (and take the day off school). After the ceremony, we headed to one of Christy's favorite places, Five Happiness, a yummy Chinese restaurant I highly recommend if you're ever in the Big Easy. Another thing the kids were looking forward to was swimming at "Uncle" Nick's condo. Nick just became the proud owner of a French Quarter condo. It is very cool. We also walked the neighborhood, getting the grand tour of local eats, our nephew dog, Baxter's doggy park, and other cool sights. The firemen at the nearby department even let the kids tour the station and climb up in the truck. We had a fantastic day, but the highlight was the pride we had for our Christy. We are soooooooo proud of her and all the hard work, blood, sweat and tears she has put toward getting this far. She has had many bumps in the road and mountains to climb, but she did it! What an example to my children that hard work will get you anywhere you want to go no matter your situation. Thank you, Dr. Sister-Aunt- Kiki-Christy. WE LOVE YOU! TE AMO!

Middle School, here we come

There were no caps. There were no gowns. But there was much celebration. After spending his 5th grade year in our newly built school, Sam has graduated from elementary school. The morning of the graduation, the parents and B.E.E.S. (our PTO) held a yummy breakfast in the student's honor...fresh fruit, sausage, eggs, biscuits...a chocolate fountain with donut holes, fruit, marshmallows and nutter butters for dipping. It was very nice. Following the breakfast, a ceremony was held in the "gymatorium". I presented a slideshow of the entire 5th grade class I had been working on. I'm not tooting my horn, but I do think that was one of the highlights of the program. [Sidenote: In the process of working on the slideshow, my computer received a horrible (we thought deadly) virus. This has been one of the reasons I have been unable to blog. Finally, after much desperation and giving in to the fact that we had lost everything on our computer- priceless photos, etc...one of Hilton's technically gifted friends performed miracles and my dinosaur of a computer is back up and running.I have also since purchased a thumbdrive, where all my photos are safely resting.] As I sat among these wonderful young people I have rubbed shoulders with and learned to know almost as my own through the years, looking at their sweet baby pictures and now photos, I got a bit teery eyed. Wow! How time has flown! They are growing up way too fast. I am thankful for the blessed associations with the wonderful students, friends and teachers at Sumrall Elementary. Sam will be going back to the former elementary building, where he attended K-4th grade, but it will be different. My baby is a Middle Schooler. He, along, with the entire class, have been prepped on the ways of middle school. Lots of rules, they all say. I think they're all a bit nervous, but I know he'll do well.

Mrs. Linda Simmons with her star math student- her words;not this braggy mom's. Sam was close to terrified when he heard Mrs. Simmons was moving to 5th grade because he remembered her from 1st grade. His class was right next to hers and he could hear her screaming through the wall. Just like the saying goes, "Those of whom you thought unkind, oft become your warmest friends", Mrs. Simmons turned out to be one of his all time favorite teachers. He learned so much from her this year- and not just about math. What a blessing teachers are. I am forever thankful for the heaven-sent teachers in my life and now in the lives of my children.