Shades of Life

Greetings! Once again, I've been derelict in my blogging duties, with my last post being in April, 2011 about three of my sweet grandkids when I visited them in New Mexico. Oh, how I love to re-read my blogging posts, and savor the wonderful memories, but boy, I have such a tough time doing the actual blogging!

I have been thinking about this "ABC" blog for ages because I wanted to honor Christopher (and yes, it took all summer to work up the required energy!). It has been a big year for him, so this All 'Bout Christopher blog seemed perfect.

First off, as any sentimental Mom would want to do, I have to say, how did my baby turn 18 and graduate this year? Where did the time go? Here's the oldest picture I could retrieve easily (since it's framed in my office) without going through thousands of pictures in the totes in my office closet. Look at this sweet baby!

4th Birthday - 1998

This picture was taken in St. George in March, 1998 on Christopher's fourth birthday, only six months after he came to our family. He was wearing the special birthday visor made by his pre-school teachers (he was so proud of it!), new three piece sweat suit for his birthday and his new watch that matched. He was always so adorable, sitting at our bar where he was getting ready to eat his favorite for his birthday dinner . . . mac and cheese, of course! He usually asked me to add colored marshmellows to it like I did the day he came to live with us! Such fun memories.

It seems like just yesterday when he was a cute faced kindergartener sitting in a big chair reading to his classmates while they were gathered on the floor in a semi-circle below him. I have a picture of this sweet scene but it's too hard to find since it was before I went digital so you will have to imagine it in your mind . . .

Okay, enough for the past. Can't you just hear him saying, "Thank heavens!" This past year marked many milestones for him:

March, 2012: Christopher's 18th Birthday:

The long awaited 18th birthday arrived, and what a special treat it was for Christopher to be able to celebrate this birthday 2 days early with his Papa! I had flown to Washington State to help Dad drive to Texas where he had decided to relocate, so we stopped in Riverside on the way so we could be with Christopher for his birthday and have a few days rest. There's a great Greek restaurant nearby and we brought in yummy Greek food to celebrate!

And here's the birthday boy:

April, 2012 - Senior Prom:

The following month was his senior Prom, which was the first school sponsored dance he attended during his high school years. He and his girlfriend of one year, Hailey, eagerly anticipated and planned for his prom for months. Well, to be fair, I should say she planned and they both anticipated. I, of course, couldn't wait to take the pictures. Because he hadn't had a high school graduation picture taken, which is a long story best left unexplained, one of my goals was to capture the perfect photo of him in his tux that we could always look back to and use as his senior photo. And here it is . . . Isn't he the cutest? (P.S. What a nice memory as his Mom to take his senior picture).

Christopher's Senior Picture

Then we took a bunch of pictures right outside my apartment. Aren't they the cutest couple? And so perfectly color coordinated! Of course, that was Hailey's doing! : )

Had to get a picture with this beautiful door as the background.

And then, off we went. There is the most beautiful place close to where I live called Riverwalk. It has a mile of meandering streams, ponds and a gazebo area with a waterfall and lots of trees. I love to walk there and look at birds and take pictures. So off we went to photograph Christopher and Hailey. I had just started taking professional pictures there a few months earlier so had already scoped out some of the best spots. As a matter of fact, after I shot Hailey and Christopher, I had another family waiting! Crazy but very rewarding and fun day!

Pictures were over and it was time for them to head off to meet 18 friends in a party bus to go to the Monte Carlo themed Senior Prom. They had a great time.

May, 2012 - High School Graduation:

The following month was his long anticipated high school graduation on 5/31/2012. His senior year marked his third and final year at John F. Kennedy Middle College High School in Norco, only about 5 miles from us. While it's the largest middle college high school in the US, it's also very small and intimate with only 750 students and a graduating class of about 250 students. It's unique in that he had to apply and be accepted plus the HS is on the campus of Riverside Community College (RCC) and the electives consist only of college classes.

The students go back and forth between HS and college classes all day. Kids roam the campus freely because they are trusted and respected, very different than the 3,800 student HS he came from with security guards and detention if you are ever caught out of class. All the kids get to know each other and have a much more enjoyable HS experience. Unfortunately, California had a budget crisis when he entered HS and many college classes were eliminated. Prior to the funding crisis, he should've been able to complete his AA degree during his HS years, but we are very thankful that he graduated with 20 college credits and with honors also!

Graduation day has finally arrived. Here he is walking up to his seat with his small graduating class.

It was a very hot Southern California day - at least in the mid 90's. I packed lots of icy water and everyone clamored for a place in the shade (except for those crazy people in the sun in the picture!) But it had to have been pretty warm for the fully dressed graduates under those hot gowns!

His graduation was held at nearby Norco High School since JFK doesn't have a football field.

It was finally his turn to be called up to get his diploma. Hold on to that cap! Don't you remember worrying about it slipping and falling off your head? I still do 30+ years later!

It was so nice because the students got special recognition for their accomplishments as each of their names were read. As Christopher was walking up, the announcer said, (drum roll, please . . .)

"Christopher Thorpe Clemmer,

Graduating With Honors,

20 College Credits Completed,

Continuing on at Riverside Community College."

It was over so quickly. Following are some pictures of our new graduate. Isn't he the cutest? And smartest, also! Please note his signature red tie which has always been his favorite and the candy lei. I wanted to buy him a flower lei but he was so practical and didn't want it, so he got this one candy lei instead.

And we couldn't miss the pictures with the proud parents (who are also a tad bit short, wouldn't you say, compared to our six foot tall son?)

Then, it was off to PF Chang's, Christopher's favorite restaurant, for his favorite dinner of lemon scallops. Christopher is wearing his new white shirt which was monogrammed with his "CTC" initials. This shirt was an 18th birthday gift from a very special man, Jim Chambers, who is our Home Teacher from church who watches over us and comes to visit at least once each month. He has always worn monogrammed shirts and wanted Christopher to have one to start his adult life. What a great place to wear it, at his high school graduation! (And what an amazing coincidence that
Christopher had his arm raised in such a great pose so we could see the monogram!!)

Of course, Hailey was with us enjoying the yummy food and festivities.

And afterwards, we had to have frozen yogurt for dessert to end a hot and fun summer day. Yum.

The day after graduation, it was back to JFK for his final time to turn in his cap and gown set. And, of course, it was a perfect opportunity for a picture with his diploma with his great school as a backdrop. : )

One last very fun and important addition to Christopher's life . . . He was also adopted last year by a sweet puppy who showed up at his house. After posting signs around the neighborhood, and holding his breath that no one would respond, he named her "Cookie". She quickly found a way into his heart.

She is a miniature pinscher and chihuahua mix with a ton of energy who wriggles with delight whenever he is around,

and who always wants to be picked up and snuggled.

And, guess what? She always gets her wish!

Cookie loves her Uncle Champ and had a blast celebrating his fourth birthday with him at his favorite park in April. They love to run and play together and even smell the same smells wafting about:

But the best part was helping him open his gifts and figure out his new puzzle with treats hidden underneath the movable slots. Her long snout gave her a decided edge.

Any more treats, toys or fun?

So, what is in Christopher's future? He has been working part-time for the past 18 months for a medical billing office doing various clerical tasks. He started college at RCC two weeks ago and currently is taking 15 general education units. At this point, he wants to transfer to California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, more commonly known as Cal Poly Pomona, which is about 45 minutes away, into their well acclaimed engineering program. He plans to be an electrical engineer.

I'm so proud of the decisions he has made thus far in his life to graduate from high school with honors and to continue on to college towards an engineering degree. He has a wonderful future ahead of him and I love him dearly.

GREAT JOB,

CHRISTOPHER! : )

What Grandma wouldn't melt when being greeted with this cute smile by her two year old grandson? Jasper was holding a plastic snake, so I knew right away that the gift I brought him was going to be a hit.

So, what fun things did we do while I was in New Mexico?? Hmm, there were so many . . .

WE "PLAYED BUGS": Jasper's Uncle Christopher loved playing with plastic bugs when he was little. Although I was taught that "bugs" should be called "insects", I like the word "bugs" better. Christopher had a collection of many kinds of bugs and other creepy crawling things, including grasshoppers, praying mantises, snakes, beetles, frogs, scorpions and even a ladybug or two. Since Christopher just turned 17 and long ago outgrew this fun bug collection, we decided it would be a perfect gift. Jasper was in bug heaven!

Jasper played with the bugs most every day I was there. The first morning, I devised a hide and seek bug game on the spur of the moment and he then asked me to "play bugs" with him every morning thereafter. He kept asking me the name of every bug, and I only knew about 50%, so we got a bunch of books from the library. I told Jasper he was my bug, because he is "cute as a bug", and asked him what kind of bug he wanted to be, and he decided on a "grasshopper bug". Since his special bugs needed a new home, I bought a large plastic Ziploc see through container and labeled it colorfully with "Jasper's Bugs" so he keep track of them and put them to bed at night without losing anyone.

Ever the good little brother, Jasper was more than happy to share his new collection with his big sister. Maya loved playing with him too, so I named her "ladybug".

This seemed appropriate, especially as one of her favorite books she was reading when I arrived in NM was about the ladybug girl! And I read it to them at least six more times before returning it to the library! : )

WE WALKED TO THE NEARBY PARK AND PLAYED: Brittany and John are blessed with a park right behind their house. Literally. You just walk down a dirt easement and voila, there it is! It couldn't be much closer or more convenient. It was fun to watch the kids run and jump, pick up sticks and rocks and just be the happy and exuberant kids they are! Oh, and Grandma Nita enjoyed the beautiful weather with sunny skies and birds everywhere!

And, what kid doesn't love playing on a big swingset or play structure in the park?

WE COOKED - AND WE ATE -AND THEN WE COOKED SOME MORE:
As is important with any family gathering, there must be plenty of food. I taught Maya how to make my world famous chocolate drop cookies.

And any good cook knows that tasting is the best part!

Both Maya and Jasper helped me many nights as I made dinner. One or both of them was usually on the counter next to me. They helped me measure, stir and pour. It made the cooking experience much more fun for us all.

Jasper always loved to eat, and he ate the dinner we cooked with gusto!

But I think he may have eaten too much!

WE SHOPPED UNTIL WE ABOUT DROPPED:
As they live in the tiny town of White Rock, NM, which features one or two stop lights in the entire town of 6,000 people, shopping in the big city of Santa Fe about 45 minutes away is a big deal. So after picking me up at the airport, we all headed to one of our favorite spots, Target, where Maya and Jasper worked together to push the shopping cart down the very long aisles to find their favorite section.

What is their favorite department? Toys, of course! We had a blast as we explored every aisle a minimum of three times.

And they really loved looking at all the games (a good gift idea!):

Funny true story . . . As we stopped in the little girl clothes department, Jasper picked up this cute yellow dress for Maya for Easter. After telling him thanks, but not this time, we put it back, only to have him grab it back two or three more times! He really loved this dress for his big sister!

"Hmm, I think size 5 is just about right!"

WE READ BOOKS LIKE CRAZY! Nothing could've made me any happier than seeing how much they both LOVE to read. We read books many times during the day, then again before bed. And John reads to them and plays with them constantly. They sit still and listen intently and love their reading time.

This was my favorite book! Lizards for Lunch!

WE HAD ONE-ON-ONE DATES: I took Jasper to the library's exercise/singing time followed by reading time. We got to do many fun things, like singing head-shoulders-knees and toes, jumping, following the leader in a circle, making music with instruments and much more. Boy, did we get up and down off that very hard wooden floor many, many times!

Jasper is the cutie pie in the middle sitting alone temporarily
since Grandma Nita had to capture this picture moment!

Jasper knew all the answers during story time.

I was so proud of him!

My special time with Maya was taking her to her weekly ballet class. She looked like a doll!

Always the camera enthusiast, while also being equipped with a new Canon camera, I took at least 100 pictures of Maya as she danced. It was fun to be able to capture both the front and back as well as her profile in the mirror while she practiced.

Maya was very patient after class as I kept trying to capture the perfect picture, but the truth of the matter is that with Maya as the subject, they were all absolutely adorable! (not that I'm prejudiced or anything)!

Doesn't she look like she knows something we don't?
Either that or she is up to something!

"Okay, Grandma, I have smiled and posed so many times
I think I am going cross-eyed!"

"This is the last one? Great!"

WE BRAIDED MAYA'S HAIR: I haven't been able to play with a little girl's hair since Brittany was young and had long hair. I really loved braiding Maya's hair, which is long and thick, just like her Mom's. I was able to get it even more kinky with ten braids by the end of my stay!