Violet's Birthday

We started Violet's birthday celebrations on Saturday, with a trip to Ojai, just the three of us. Cora had two shows, so she couldn't come with us. 

Violet found a lovely nature walk with great views. As you can see, it was a cooler, cloudy day with the threat of rain. 

After our hike, we walked the main street, and then drove to Boccali's, the Italian restaurant Violet picked. 

We shared bruschetta, an antipasto salad and eggplant lasagna. All was delicious.

We then started for home, but stopped in Santa Paula at a New Orleans cafe I've heard about called Rabalais. We had their specialty for dessert - beignets, with a latte. Ohhhh, yes please! 

Violet's actual 16th birthday was Monday, a school day. We stopped by her favorite nearby nature walk after school. 

She then went with Cora to West Ranch to work as a stage hand while Cora was stage managing Mean Girls during the start of their tech week(s). That meant for a late birthday dinner. Violet chose Bonchon, the Korean place in Stevenson Ranch. 

After dinner, we had their doughnuts for dessert.

Because Violet's upcoming Alaska trip is her big 16th birthday gift, we gave her a map of Alaska to study and admire.

Cora gave Vi some CDs from a band called The Arcadian Wild, and sweet treats.

We enjoyed being out together, celebrating with our favorite artist-animal loving-nature girl!

Our Graduate

Graduation Day!

In America, high school graduation represents the culmination of 13 years of education, along with entry into adulthood, as most graduates have turned 18, or are turning 18 soon.

There's the cap and gown and speeches and well wishes and bouquets and Pomp and Circumstance playing (over and over) as the students walk into the event and find their seats. 

There's a stadium full of people, the National Anthem, a long list of names and the traditional moving of the cap tassel from the right side to the left, as the ceremony ends. 

It's a milestone, and I'm so grateful Cora took part in this monumental senior year event. 

She got to walk in and sit next to her friend Carys, which was special. Carys's mom serves as an unofficial school photographer, so she was on the ground getting some amazing photos.

We were in the stands, cheering and yelling for Cora when we could finally spot her in the line coming in. Grandpa brought his good equipment, and got the below photo when she looked up and caught our eyes.

Here is Cora, getting her diploma and shaking hands with Dr. Cherise Moore, a school district board member.

And here she is, high-fiving Mr. Fisher, the school's amazing principal. I wish I'd gotten a photo of them together after the ceremony - I really enjoyed working with him these past two years.

Melanie took this sweet pic of me and Stace.

The ceremony was great - with several speeches and all the graduates' names, it was still finished in an hour! 

I watched the online ceremony for Cora's old school, since I know so many families there, and it was an hour and 40 minutes - glad ours was more succinct.

Favorite teacher, no contest.

Cora and Rowan, and Lucas, who has one more year of high school.

Week in Review

For the first time since we planted these succulents in the mailbox planter years ago, this plant has bloomed! I didn't know it did this! Four huge clusters of small bright yellow flowers. Kind of pretty, kind of crazy looking!

Spring break is over and the girls are back to school. I've been busy with little things - going through books to get rid of some and make room in the closet, milling flour for bread, and going to a WR PAC meeting. Stace has been busy with the bifold doors for the new room, so we can close it off into a guest room.

A very momentous day - Cora got her driver's license Tuesday!

She got her permit and started practicing regularly ten weeks ago, but because she's over 18, she could take the behind the wheel test when she felt ready. And, she passed it with only a few minor points off!

A whole new world has opened up.
 

Vi and I took a walk at Quigley Canyon, and came across what looked to be a baby rattlesnake - the more dangerous kind, because they don't regulate how much venom they emit when biting. 

But after our walk, we saw it again when we came back through. I did wonder if it was a rubber snake, to scare people, since it hadn't moved at all, and it wasn't in the sun. Who knows? 

The wildflowers in Rocky's field are beautiful!

After sorting out the car insurance, Cora drove off to school for the first time on Thursday. Wow - we're here! She can stay at rehearsal until she's ready to come home, no more parent waiting in the parking lot...

Also this week, Vi and I met up with Melanie and Ellie to have an early birthday lunch for Violet. We went to an Asian restaurant and market in Koreatown, not too far from the Wiltern theater.

We ate so well! And we picked up fun things to bring home from the market.

Cora had a big Saturday - she drove herself to her vocal lesson, and later drove to Rowan's house for her birthday party. A group went to Pirates Dinner Adventure, in costume. Cora loved it, and even had fun hanging out with the group afterwards at Rowan's house. 

Cora is 18!

 Cora decided to have a few friends join us for go-kart racing at MB2 Raceway, where she also had her 12th birthday gathering.

Joining us where her school theatre friends Mackenzie, Rowan and Lucas. Stacey is joining them in this photo, as they were the group that did two races.

In one of the races, Stace had the fastest single lap time among the nine racers (although is overall average time placed him fourth, just a hair behind Cora). In the other race, with 10 racing, Cora placed best of their group, though behind a few other racers we didn't know.

The kids also played laser tag, and unfortunately Lucas fought a wall, and the wall won. Hence the ice pack and bandage (not shown).

It was actually really affordable to rent the axe-throwing bay, so they had fun with this while they waited for their turn on the racetrack.

Cora does very well at this.

Violet and Stace had a turn on the air hockey table after Cora and her friends.

We then took the kids to In-n-Out for lunch.

In the evening, the family came over for dinner and gifts.

Lucas had given Cora this Disney doll, but Ellie was a more appreciative recipient.

Cora loved these beautiful Celtic-style earrings from Nan and Pop.

Cora's Birthday Morning

Here's our girl with her special 18th birthday gift from us - a medieval replica sword, complete with a hanger and plaque.

It was a gift idea Cora had thrown around - you might say, "brandished" - and in the end, Stace and I went with it. A little unusual, but Cora is a unique individual.
 

Stace knew the shape of the box would give it away, so he made a little game for her birthday morning.

"Dear Cora, Wishing you a happy 18th birthday. Love from Mum and Dad"

Stace enjoyed personalizing this display piece, staining the wood and attaching the dowels and plaque.

Prior to the birthday girl waking up, Stace and I worked on decor.