Promoted to 9th grade

We managed to go early and get a seat with his family to see Oskar one last time in Middle school.    I love this kid…he was definitely the most creative dresser…only one in shorts…his Dad's shoes, his brother's vest, all the rest carefully bought....( and a special ring, I just learned, that he bought at the Vatican ).  but I guess that hair got in his face for the ceremony.    The blip is before, as he was going in to the school and we were standing by the front entrance…he gave me 30 seconds, thank goodness)  I want to live long enough to see where some passion takes him.   ( a clothing company?)  He is our family guy.   Part of our gift to him was 2 very heavy brass bust bookends of Abraham Lincoln that he has admired at some point. (AL quote:  "You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was")   If he knows it was a family thing (I think a gift from H’s Aunt in Chicago, Illinois  in the 60s) he will keep it forever.     And who would know that from this fashionista  portrait?    Extras..  the procession with  the hair up now.  and his advisory class of 3 years together (there were 14 of these groups ) showing the amazing diversity of 8th graders in this school.   So fun to watch.   The non academic stuff they are learning just HAS to be good life skills for them.   Lots of awards for original languages with college credit.  Oskar got a citizenship award.