When the "letting go"-ing gets tough...

                                      ... the tough throw a party.

Zach's high school graduation represents a huge milestone for me. And when I pass huge milestones, I get very emotional. And when I get very emotional, I cry. Lots.

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(I actually survived the ceremony, I really only lost it when he played trumpet for the last time as an NCS Crusader...)

(I "stole" this picture from his friend's facebook, 'cause I didn't have a good shot like this...
Zach's the only senior -- seated on the left behind the clarinets.)

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Anyhow -- back to the party: Our very dear friends Sara & Bob have meant so much to our family. Sara has transported my boys to school for five years, now. Last spring Sara asked if I wished to have Zach's party in their backyard -- otherwise known as PARTY CENTRAL.

She even cleared off her mantel for some memorabilia...

I ordered two cakes from Costco. (They are the best! I also checked pricing from WalMart bakery as well as a couple local grocery chains & I would've been paying twice as much for inferior cake & icing, & absolutely none of that delicious mousse filling!)

Zach's girlfriend & her mom made dozens of black paper cones for popcorn. (I turned a 10-bottle wine rack on its side to hold the cones upright...)

Bob popped the corn in Sara's machine.

(mmmmmm -- they make it with olive oil & sea salt!)

My mom made some raspberry cookie bars & mini cherry cheesecakes.

(Not bad for a lady in a neck brace between surgeries & therapies...)

Zach's other grandma made a couple platters of fruit kabobs.


I baked large batches of salted caramel brownies, seven dozen whole-wheat chocolate chip cookies & a double recipe of Rice Krispies with white chocolate & cranberries treats.

We dispensed a couple gallons of iced tea & some very delicious blueberry lemonade.

(Zach finished off the last of the tea after the party...)

Unfortunately, I have few pictures. Once the people started arriving (some were half an hour early!) there was no time for camera snapping. Oh well! It was a wonderful evening.