Talking about graduations... here are a few pictures of Esther and hers as she graduated Haven Middle School where she has been for the last three years.

To the left we have Esther in the dress bought especially for the occasion, and to the right we have Esther with good friend Alyssa. These girls have been friends since they shared the same teacher back in Kindergarten all those years ago.


Esther's time at Haven has been an interesting three years, I think in many ways we are glad to have them behind us. ... I remember some really tough times which were such a struggle for all of us... with failing grades, questions about the purpose of life (and was it really necessary?), friendship dynamics and disappointments. Throughout the struggles, however, there was always the constant of Rob Tajada and the Haven Band ... this in many ways was what got Esther up in the morning and ultimately through these Haven years and for which I am very grateful.

However, Esther commented the other day of how she has such good memories of Haven, how 7th Grade was a great year (my negative comments above came mainly from her 7th Grade!) and how she shall miss being there. That really wasn't our experience... but memory is a weird thing!

We are now preparing for Evanston Township High School. Esther is at summer school at the moment doing Graphic Design and STAE (Steps Towards Academic Excellence) - a scheme for those who are clever - yet don't do the work. It aims to catch them before they even think about not doing so. Sounds good to me - where was such a scheme when I needed it all those years ago?

She is also spending the afternoons at tennis camp ... Wimbledon here we come (if only for the Pims and stawberries and cream...)