graduation.

So now that we know what's going on with Shelby, things are moving pretty quickly.
She leaves with Iz for Missouri next month.  She bought a car over the weekend.
So much adulting.

When we went out to West Point last May for her graduation, the week was full of activities.

And holy crap, was it ever HOT.  Like humid, oven hot.  We don't have that here in Washington.

The first thing was the Superintendent's Reception.  Don't my kiddos clean up nice?
Pretty sure that's the first time Ian's been in tan pants and a tie.  Have to say he killed it.

The reception was done by regiment, because there's no way poor General Caslen and his wife could possibly host
1,000 cadets and their families at his house all at once.  Shelby's company was A1 (Go Avengers!)... so we were the first group.
(Not because she was A company, but because she was in the First Regiment.)
We waited in a LONG line for our turn to go into his house and shake hands with him and his wife, plus some other mucky mucks.
It was the cadet's duty to introduce his/her family to the General... and in a certain order.
When Shelby got to Ian, General Caslen asked him what year he was in school.  When he told him he was a freshman, the General asked
at what school.  And then his mouth dropped when Ian told him a freshman in High School.   And then I think he said something about seeing 
their basketball coach, lol.

Extra points to Iz for the suit in the heat.  After the receiving line to meet General Caslen, the reception was in the garden.

Love this picture of West Point.  If you ever go there, don't walk on the grass.
It's a thing.

I think the next event was an award's night... but I don't have any pictures.  
Shelby got a gold star (Distinguished Cadet Award) for her GPA.

The graduation parade was the day before graduation, on the Plain (The grass you can't walk on in the above picture.)
And it was HOT.  We got there super early to get good seats.  We knew where Shelby's company would be on the Plain,
(easier when your kid is in A1... they're the first ones to come out) so we could see her the whole time.

Bonus points if you can find her.  You'd think after 4 years, I could get a picture of her face, but I like a challenge.
And I know her bun.
The parade was just for Firsties (seniors) and by company.  Full dress, wool jackets.  I don't know how they did it.
Some poor girl in D company totally passed out and needed an ice blanket.

There she is!  

After the parade, there were more Academic awards... done by each department.

Shelby majored in Portuguese, so hers was the Department of Foreign Languages.
In the picture, she is receiving the Portuguese Military Language Award, from a Portuguese officer that she really liked,
but I don't know his name. :P
She also received a DFL Portuguese scroll.  It was pretty amazing.
And it was inside (air conditioning!)

Later that night was the Graduation Banquet.  A cadet could only have a certain number of tickets to this,
so Iz & I, Belle & Ian, and Aunt Carrie were able to attend.

Cadets wore their India Whites. :)

Such a fun night

And then it was graduation day!

Again, we got to Michie Stadium (where the football games are) really early.  Seating was assigned, but everyone said to get there
early, as security lines to get on base and into the stadium can be really long.  

Pretty sure she's the second one behind the third girl in a skirt.  And while that might sound ridiculous to you,
welcome to the world of 'Waldo Hunting'.  When WP posts pictures, the moms drive themselves crazy trying to find
their kid.  You get REALLY good at knowing the back of your daughter's head.  And her bun.
I found her once wearing full ACUs and a gas mask.  But I KNEW it was her.  (And I was right.)

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford gave the address.

Here she is receiving her diploma from Brig. Gen. Cindy Jebb, Dean of the Academic Board.
They had professional photographers taking photos of each cadet that you could purchase.

The hat toss was so cool.  Cadets put money and a note inside their covers.  Then little kids can run out afterwards and
pick up a hat.

And there you have it.  

Now she's a commissioned Second Lieutenant.  Go Shelby!