[QueenAngie]

Who is graduating from college 2008?

Or has a child graduating from college 2008?



What are the special plans?



Will you have a reception?

What are the school colors?



You should be very proud!

[QueenAngie]

We are very proud to say that DS#1 is graduating from the U of I (Illinois) in May, 2008.

Colors are blue and orange for the Fighting Illini.

He actually has two graduations.
Family photos are before the 1st graduation.
The entire University graduates at one time - 2 1/2 * ceremony. It is a group graduation.

Then, there is a 2nd graduation ceremony with just the engineers, where DS#1 will walk on stage and get a diploma.

Have you ever heard of 2 graduations before? (I am thinking that it will be a long afternoon sitting for both of them and there is NO air conditioning.)

* * *

Early last fall, we attempted to secure reservations for motel rooms for that weekend the following May, 08. I could not get any.

So, our plan was to stay at DS#1's one bedroom apartment
for the four of us all weekend.

The apt is nice, but it is on the 3rd floor. There is no elevator.
By the end of the weekend, we felt we'd be pretty squeezed as a family.

Last night DH decided we needed to do something different, and I called every motel and hotel in town. Finally scored one room at a brand new motel that just opened 3 weeks ago for graduation weekend. Yes, it is costly, but the extra bathroom will help.

* * *

We had scored some great reservations for a lovely dinner prior to graduation at a fancy restaurant. This was the college graduate's pick and he was thrilled that we could score the reservations.
We planned to have the graduation cake for dessert.
Yes, it is Mother's Day weekend, so it was going to be a lovely dinner too for all the mothers attending in our family.....which is
DH's side.....as our guests and our treat.

Then, extended family (DH's side) one elderly male member felt uncomfortable eating out due to health problems. So, we changed the reservations to Saturday night for just the four of us.
(The good thing is that just saved us a lot of money without the extended family attending the restaurant.)

* * *

We are ordering a cake, I hear that the graduation boy is requesting white cake with whipped cream icing and raspberry filling.
I'm making cream cheese shaped mints too. School colors.

I have yet to figure out where we will serve cake to the extended (DH's) family as the eldery folks won't make it up to the 3rd floor apartment.
We'll have checked out of the motel at that point.
They do not want to go to a restaurant.
And every park will be filled to the brim with grad people.

Maybe we'll just tailgate and have it in the parking lot.
Guess that is a college tradition - tailgating.

* * * *

Did I mention all the parties and teas we will be attending on Saturday and early Sunday?
At the President's home for a lovely breakfast.
Chancellor's home for a tea.
Engineering reception.
And something else where too.

* * *

Don't forget there are 10 key spots where graduates have their photos taken in cap and gown onsite around campus.
I have the map in hand.
They are clearly marked and graduates go from key spot to key spot,
patiently waiting in line for their photos.
I hope we get this done on Friday before graduation.

* * *

I have truly tried to do what the college graduate wanted to do - it is his party after all. Hoping that it all turns out beautifully.