The Last High School Graduate
Meet my very handsome youngest nephew, Hayden. He is our family’s LAST H.S. GRADUATE!
There are many memories I have with Hayden.
He likes to cook
He doesn’t forget anything
He is a natural at most things
He shares a b-day month with me
Hayden cooking while my husband Michael pontificates. Hayden made the MOST delicious homemade macaroni and cheese to contribute toward our Thanksgiving meal. It was lovely.
Hayden is a natural soccer player. So many things come easy to him. Moving his body in a game is one of them.
While traveling through the Bay Area, we were able to see Hayden in a game.
(Rain or Shine, they play!)
When my two nephews were very young, their parents left me in charge for a week for a much needed vacation so that they could celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary. They lived in the Bay Area, California and I knew I would enjoy swapping out the heat wave of Salt Lake City for the ocean breezes of the Bay Area.
The boys and I planned out our week carefully.
Minimum of two parks per day (we had five parks to choose from and we HAD to rotate them with regularity)
Scavenger hunt
Ice cream
Visits with friends
Perhaps an amusement park
Eat dinner outside
Cook everyday
Swim in the local pool
Hayden is on the left.
One particular day, I began to feel the fatigue of taking care of two very active boys and although we had 90% completed the day’s list of fun activities, there was one thing we had not completed: a Hide-and-go-Seek game. It was 7:00 pm. I still had dinner to make. Showers and baths to conduct. A glass of wine to sip.
Hayden doesn’t forget anything.
Granted, this list was mostly created for my own memory purposes. I needed something to help keep me organized. My two nephews couldn’t read yet. But …
Hayden doesn’t forget anything.
He had memorized the list and KNEW we were leaving ONE THING OUT! A Hide-and-go-Seek game! I tried negotiating with him. “Please, can we do this tomorrow?” I pleaded. “But you promised!” he clearly pointed out.
Hayden doesn’t forget anything.
He won. We played. Dinner was very late that night. Wine was even later. Baths and showers still took place. Teeth were brushed and bedtime observed two hours later.
In the end, everyone was satisfied. A new list of fun activities would begin in the morning. I knew I really didn’t actually NEED a list because Hayden would memorize it and hold me accountable to every single activity.
Because, “Why?” You guessed it!
Hayden doesn’t forget anything.
Over the years, our scavenger hunts were conducted citywide. We incorporated neighborhood friends and needed cars to get around from spot to spot. Over the years we conducted a dozen hunts. I’m sure if you asked him, he could tell you about each one.
Happy Graduation, Hayden.
No one will ever forget you!
In remembering that the little things we do for kids goes a long way, that then becomes our own graduation as adults.
