Rosie's Graduation

Our fourth child has successfully graduated!

Rose celebrated her graduation with a party at Fox Run Park last Friday night.

Thankfully we found one last pavilion that wasn't already in use or reserved!

Rose's friend Sarah Moyer flew in with her mother all the way from Pennsylvania for the occasion!

They arrived Thursday afternoon, and we enjoyed a lovely time at supper together, complete with a fruit pizza.

One of our favorite desserts!

Jonathan asked Rose to read the Scripture for worship time--to make sure she could read well enough to graduate, he said! Two or three kittens or several puppies are usually brought in to cuddle while we listen to the Scripture being read.

The gift from us parents for Rosie, a new cowboy cookbook Rose had fallen in love with from the library, with several matching jars of freeze-dried herbs and garlic and onion and tomato sauce, found on clearance at King Sooper.

A number of friends showed up for the party, and there were many children and young people to play games down in the field.

Little Naomi, of another home school family, made this cute graduation cap and diploma which were perfect on our rustic bear.

The girls and I decorated with a variety of rustic decor found around our house or along a path somewhere.

 When in doubt, use duct tape.

Our girls, friends Sarah Moyer and Jasmine arranged the cupcakes in this design.

Sarah Moyer getting her picture taken.

Congratulations, Rose!

We are so proud of you!

Not only did she graduated with honors, cum laude, but she has also been staying busy working at a dairy job, working a new horse, helping with neighbors' horses, visiting shut-ins, learning mandolin and piano, writing letters and cards, and just loving people and all of God's critters.

Just a few days before the party, on our way back from Rose's driving test, she and I stopped at an antique shop along the road outside Simla, and found a couple wheels for only about half the price of what I've seen other places. So I bought them to decorate our property, but Rose wanted to use them first at her party.

Below, the girls are babysitting Crystal's employer's little girls, and talking to another home school mom and son.

Rose couldn't believe all the gifts!

"I didn't even think about gifts when I invited everyone," she said. "I just wanted to have a good time!"

We are always intrigued with how each gift is so unique from each unique giver.

 Tim, who has taught Rose a lot about horses, brought her the most beautiful bouquet I've ever seen!

A few others who attended, including Jonathan's parents, Katherine Gafford, Mrs. Moyer, and a neighbor whose horse Rose helps work with.
There were several home school families. 

Rose had a little glass container for "words of wisdom" for people to contribute to her!

We had waited and waited for folk to show up for the presentation of Rose's diploma, but one family from out of state had vehicle problems on the way and couldn't make it, others from Littleton were stuck in rush hour traffic.  We had to go ahead half an hour late. 

Rose expressed words of gratitude to her mother, father, other friends, and everyone for their contributions to her life and education.

I read the following poem I wrote:

           To Our Prairie Rose

There are many wild roses in the prairies of the west,
But there’s a special Rosie that a mother loves the best.
The Rose that scampers barefoot on Sarita Circle’s soil,
While to her Colorado ranch her heart remains quite loyal.

She was born in August in a little house on the prairie,
To join Big brother Sam, and Crystal, and small Carrie.
One month before the airplanes hit New York’s tall twin towers,
God blessed the Lucas family with a very special flower.

For eighteen years she’s bloomed so free in good high country air,
By seasonal pond, with meadowlarks, by yucca and prickly pear.
This Rose is full o f love for all, and everyone has a part,
Whether puppy or bunny or kitten or calf, they get pieces of her heart.

So while our beautiful wild Rose runs barefoot on the plains,
And happily rides her buckskin horse with saddle and leather reins,
We parents pray, this teacher hopes that her heart will always be
Open to the birds of joy and the God of the  high prairie.

For eighteen years she’s brought us joy under Colorado sun,
For thirteen years she’s been a student just like every other one.
And I, her mom, am pleased today to give her congratulations
Upon the completion of her studies, and her graduation!

*********** 

Then Rose presented this beautiful LIVING rosebush to the teacher who had taught her for twelve years.

More table decor. This one was Rosie's idea, as were most of them!

         Another one.

After cupcakes and veggies and cookies brought by young Elizabeth Haggerty, the youth played Ultimate Frisbee and other games. 

It was hours of fun.

We had made a homemade pinata (out of a cereal box covered with newspaper, then bright tissue papers, then pictures of a fox on one side and coyote on the other, and finished with tissue fronds at the bottom.)

After several little girls took turns, they get to gather up the candies and nuts packets and share with others.

We adults enjoyed watching our kids have so much fun.