A different kind of "class" ring

My children's high school has students order class rings just before their sophomore school year ends, and they receive them in November of their junior year.  That is the earliest students receive rings in our area.  Most schools place orders in the fall of junior year, and students receive their rings the following spring.  As Wyatt's sophomore year drew to a close, he was adamantly opposed to getting a class ring calling it a big waste of money.  That's fair.  Zach and Savannah each ordered rings, and I thought they would wear them daily from the time they received them until shortly after graduation as I had done.  In reality they wore them for special school events, and that was it, so I was with Wyatt on the whole class ring thing. He assured me that he was not interested in being a part of the ceremony.  For my children's school, a ring is required for the ceremony. I have worked in a school where that was not required.  It can be any ring, so if Wyatt were to change his mind, he could borrow his dad's ring or we could look for something inexpensive to use.

As I started doing my homework regarding what to do about my own wedding set which no longer fits, I revisted something I've long wanted to do.  If you have followed our journey all the way back to Wyatt's Baby Jelly Beans site, you may remember that I wanted to get him a ring with Galatians 3:29 on it as a nod to his heritage.  My original plan was to wear it for a time and then give it to him when he reached adulthood. I did something similar with a bracelet for Julia.  I never followed through on that plan.  I looked at rings and either didn't find anything I liked, or found a ring then just didn't act on it.  I did a search online for class rings that could be customized in a more heritage friendly sort of way.  I did not have to look far to find Forever Gifts.  I then approached Wyatt and asked what he thought of a heritage ring instead of a class ring.  I explained what I had originally wanted to do and pointed out that rings on this site were really inexpensive, so he would have the option of wearing it for special occasions, ring ceremony etc. without feeling guilty about the cost. Wyatt was actually excited about the idea, so we looked at options together and came up with a ring that has his school initials and graduation year along with Galatians 3:29 on the outside. The inside bears his name and adoption date.  It's a spinner (I didn't even know those existed), so he can spin it if he feels the need to fidget in class.  Winner!

Of course we had to find his size- so glad I took him to a jeweler for that as I would have guessed completely wrong.  We've tried the printed at-home guides for ring sizing before with no success, so I think I am going to buy one of those ring sizers that are under $5 on Amazon.

It's certainly not a high quality ring, but it will serve the purpose well.  I am pleased.  I think it runs a bit bigger than his size indicated, but a loose ring is better than a tight one in my opinion.  It's not so loose that it would easily come off, but I was surprised at the ease at which he could slide it on his thumb.  Who knows?  Maybe his fingers are all close to the same size?  Mine certainly are not. 

Vacay 2019 Final post

The Beach

Our beach experience included calm water early in the day, and waves that were beating us up by 3:00p.m.  There were lots of jellyfish sometimes,  but we had only a few minor stings.  My favorite beach day was Wednesday.  The water was colder than my liking, but I could stand in neck-deep water and see my toes.  I could have been out there on a raft safely.  By Thursday the water was off limits with double red flags, but we still found ways to have fun.

The emerald water - so pretty.

I sat on the beach Thursday and enjoyed a rainbow over the ocean.

Hello Barry (tropical storm that wasn't headed toward us, but we saw the start of the side effects)

One evening the surf dropped lots of these on the beach.  You could barely walk around them.

I just love the beach so much!!

Goodbye paradise.

Memories made:

s'mores baked in the oven - yum --We are going to have s'mores in Heaven.  I am convinced, and they won't make us feel guilty!

a really long, loud game of Quelf  (I think we had 13 players)

Favorites:

Andy liked being on the beach alone when the sky opened up dropping big raindrops on his back.

I liked Wednesday morning in the water.

Wyatt and Julia liked the time with extended family.

Let's do it again!

Vacation 2019 part four

Trying to get family pics...

Julia had her heart set on family pics for the six of us this year.  She did all the work coordinating the outfits.  We found the beach to be windier at night than in the morning, so we loosely talked about a morning session, but nobody got up and ready for it.  In the end we did not get good family pics.  I will have to hire a pro here at home.  It's been years since we've had a good photographer get family shots.  We did try other options with the rest of the family.

All the cousins

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We tried.

During a meltdown for one of the younger cousins, we worked with the big cousins.  They are in birth order.

The original four with their Uncle Joshua.

Siblings

Danielle was getting pics of her kids with her camera, so I don't have those.  Austin and Logan weren't cooperating together.

Individuals

Wyatt and Julia each did individual sessions earlier.  

The best we could do for six of us...

Vacation 2019 part 3

We laugh a lot.

Auto Sales Windman

The kids cooked dinner one night, and Austin decided to play Gordon Ramsey from Hell's Kitchen.

Can you get a cuter card reader for a game of Wits and Wagers?

Vacay scrapbook part 2- 2019

Together

poolside TV

Austin and Julia were quite the buddies for this trip.  That's a switch as it is usually Logan and Julia.

This picture of Kallie is probably my favorite picture of the trip.

Trying out the Kool-Aid - by that I mean using Kool-Aid to dye the ends of her hair purple.  It came out red and cute.

When the Old Navy store at the outlet mall has a sale that includes a shirt with your favorite character - SOLD

ugh - blurry cellphone pic

hunting crabs

the popsicle float that the kids turned into a boat

"Wits and Wagers" with the cutest card reader.  This boy's charm and humor combined with his long eyelashes and dimple - dangerous!!

Lots of screen time with cousins

Hello, Barry.  Tropical storm we could have done without.

If it's raining, the pool is still open.

Wyatt is still a favorite among the younger cousins.  I have a similar picture of these three from a trip a few years ago.

last day - checking out Barry

lunch date - Andy drove us to the beach on his birthday.  We really did not celebrate other than to go out for ice cream the night before we left.  I treated him to lunch on our last day at the beach.

I have wanted an adirondack chair for a while now.  I found out this vacation that they are indeed comfortable and great for studying - if it isn't too humid outside.

When you find a bargain! Cute hoodies for $5.99 - yes, please.