Merry Mayhem May!

 If you thought April was crazy, sit down--May is about to beat that without even trying!  We'll start with Prom 2025. Cooper asked his friend/lift partner Sage. Yes, the same on he took to Homecoming. He kinda likes her. 😉 They had a fun group that made the day and night even better. Cooper had a fantastic time and he and Sage were a beautiful couple. Best thing was they could actually dance at prom, so they tore up the dance floor, even doing a few (careful) lifts! Here's some pictures. 

The very next weekend was Cooper's last performance with Ballet Arts. He played Aladdin in the ballet Aladdin. As with the Nutcracker, Amelia did the choreography for the solo Cooper had with Natalie (Jasmine) and it was a beautiful, fluid, impressive dance!

Jake and Amelia. She likes him a lot.

The next week was busy with school and Cooper's IBA Senior Dinner and Dance. I helped with this because I'm the mother of a senior. Where are my pictures? Well, I don't have any, because it was CRAZY busy. At least for those of us behind the scenes. The seniors had a great time though, and it was a perfect ending for Cooper's ballroom era.

The following Sunday was seminary graduation. It was fun, and a little emotional, to attend. Not only was it a prelude to Cooper actually graduating, but it also was a huge step toward him leaving to serve a mission. 

Treyson and Cooper

That brings us to the first of many tear-jerking, proud, exciting moments this summer---Cooper's high school graduation. Unlike Amelia's crazy weather one, Cooper's was held in the I-Center on campus. Cooper graduated with a class around 420. He, academically, was 167. That's pretty amazing! He could've worn braids to show that achievement, but he didn't care, so we didn't buy them. 😂

It was a fantastic night that I'll never forget. I'm so grateful for the family and friends that attended to support and cheer Cooper on.  This is the link (I don't know how long it'll be posted) if you want to watch Cooper walk: https://video.byui.edu/media/t/1_ku9yu8q8

Here's a few pictures:

They had each seniors picture and name rolling before the commencement started. 

Cooper and Trevor

Ethin, Kendal, and Cooper

Cooper and Treyson

Cooper and Ian

Sage, Cooper, and Sarah

Cooper and Bro. Lusk

Gideon, Treyson, and Cooper. If you didn't figure it out--they are all ballroom boys. 

That night was the all-night party. Now, Cooper is NOT a night-owl. I didn't think he'd make it past 1:00am. Imagine my surprise when I heard him come in at 4:00am, when the party ended. Of course, after I saw his BeReal, I realized why he stayed the whole time:

If you think the fun wound down after graduation--boy, are you wrong! I suffered through the last day of school and then we loaded up our rental van and headed to Layton. Cooper decided he wanted his senior trip to be to Disneyland. Yes, we went last year with the ballroom group, but there were....responsibilities and people we were in charge of that tainted his experience a bit. He wanted to go back and do it HIS way. 

When my sister Katie found out we were going, she asked if their family could join us. After getting Cooper's ok, we planned the whole thing. We did a stopover in Vegas, hit the beach, and closed out the park! Here are some of the highlights:

Dream on, Amelia. But good effort.

Look at those guns! But alas, the sword stayed put.

Cooper on the replica of a pirate ship. He was in heaven.

Cooper related more to Gaston in this restaurant, which, ended up being his favorite place to eat the entire time we were there. 

Amelia FINALLY getting on the top row on the ride Soarin' Around the World. And all she had to do was ask.

Now, I'm not a Disneyland fanatic like some people I know--it's too much money, too much waiting, and too many people for me to really adore it. BUT, I do like it when I'm there. Amelia, Cooper and I started off the first day by rope dropping the Cars ride. It's notorious for over 120 minute wait--but we walked right on using the single rider lane. I ended up being in a car with Amelia, and we raced Cooper at the end of the ride. Then Amelia and I hit the Incredicoaster a few times before meeting up with Cooper to ride Soarin Around the World. Amelia went to get in line for Guardians of the Galaxy  while Cooper and I got some lunch and walked around San FranTokoyo square. Later that afternoon we met up with Katie and her family and hit the rides there. The next day was alllllll Disneyland. Cooper did exactly when he wanted to do, and the trip was a success!

We got home in time for me to attend my teacher workday for summer school, and closed May out. It was a crazy, amazing, fun, emotional, unforgettable month. Take a breath, and June will be up next!