My Sweet Pea, My Precious Precocious Baby Girl, My Offspring That I Spit Out In Her Mother’s Image had her big Senior Project show on Friday. It was a culmination of four years of work. She did tremendous work and most of that evening was spent with me bending over and picking up pieces of my heart that leaked out onto the floor and also holding back some big, juicy tears.
Enough of the sentimentality.
She did everything right. Almost. Her first mistake was inviting her family, The Cuckoos, to her Senior Show. Second, she didn’t feed us and after the hourlong drive to St. Louis to Mallory’s University (doesn’t that sound like a real school? like some prestigous hoity toity Eastern seaboard school?) I told my whole family that we could probably pick something up from the campus cafe. It was supposed to be chips and snacky foods but we happened upon the university President’s Inaugural Ball (or some such event) where we had prime rib, enormous shrimp, and caviar.
There were elegant desserts.
There were desserts made in white chocolate edible cups. Who is the genius who created that?
It was such a coup to be able to get free cuisine and take pictures of it. Ha! Ha! I got F-R-E-E ice cream and you can’t do anything about it but tuition costs hella money and perhaps I could get some free food after four years of that?
There was a bar where my sister asked my son to fetch her a glass of wine.
My elder sister, Erin, told Mason: Put your hands in your pockets, sidle up there, and just say ‘White zin’ and see if they give it to you.
AND THEY DID. I think he’s entirely ready for college now.
(Hi, DCFS! He was joking. He’s 16 and snarky and being silly. No wine touched his lips unless they were from his lush Granny who pinched his cheeks and slopped wet kisses on him.)
Speaking of Granny: she decided that when we told Mallory that we ate glorious food while she waited for us to appear at her show that she’d just go introduce herself to the president of the university and then, of course, take a picture with him. Only my mother. This is a woman who, after the dignified President Party Crashing, could be seen doing shots of Patron with Mallory and her roommates.
Later there was Mallory’s amazing project which was a winery with an art gallery and a beautiful garden and my thought the entire time was HOLY MOLY, MY KID CAN MAKE SOME COOL STUFF.
Naturally, she posed in front of all her design work.
Some of her photography which was placed over the hors d’ oeuvres. Notice, please, that she didn’t develop one picture of her mother. That’s ok. I got free food earlier.
Grandpa is proud of his eldest grandchild. He beams at that kid like little fairies lift her lithe body and carry her from place to place while sparkly dust comes out of her butt.
Me and Daddy. He knows sparkly dust does NOT come out of my butt, but that a breathtaking soulful girlchild came from my loins.
This is a pretty good shot of Mallory ending the night with MERCIFUL HEAVENS. MY FEET. THEY’RE GOING TO CRUMBLE LIKE THE BERLIN WALL. Mostly I like it because it’s in front of the design library where all the textiles are housed and where she spent a great deal of her time.
This shot looks fuzzy and I didn’t realize Mason had stolen my camera from me for a bit. I might have mentioned that there was delightful wine and my camera apparently drank a lot of it because it makes me look all distorted and woolly.
April 22, 2008 @ 7:15 pm | Filed under Freaky Family | Permalink |
Yolanda Said,
April 22, 2008 @ 8:35 pm
This totally makes me wish I could get a degree from Mallory’s University! Great pics- her design project and photography look amazing. You have such a beautiful family congrats on her special day.
deb Said,
April 22, 2008 @ 8:38 pm
Everything is appetizing and beautilicious, and while I’m certain of your button-bursting pride in your daughter’s (very impressive) accomplishments *and* talent, I’m more dashed by your woolly loveliness.
Hottie.
jess Said,
April 22, 2008 @ 8:41 pm
i just love you and your beautiful, truly beautiful, family - through the generations.
EMILY SANTIAGO ARROYO Said,
April 22, 2008 @ 11:37 pm
AWESOME! Congrats to her! She’s quite the lovely, talented girl. It’s no wonder you’re all so proud of her. Take care! And many blessings!
FP Said,
April 23, 2008 @ 5:20 am
I hereby rename your family as The Beautiful and Talented Ones. Seriously, every picture of your family members astound me. Everyone is SO good looking! And all of that hard work? Man. Mallory has a super-great future ahead of her! Congrats to all.
Caffeinated Librarian Said,
April 23, 2008 @ 5:25 am
The picture in the library? LOVE. IT.
It looks like she’s saying, “Frickin’ library books! Frickin date-due stamps! And NO you can’t eat in the damn library and if you ask me one more time I’m going take off my gorgeous heels and club you to death with them!”
And haven’t we all felt like that from time to time?
I’m glad Mal did well and all the family had fun.
Heartfull Said,
April 23, 2008 @ 7:03 am
I read your blog because I really like it. Then I read this week that we are in the same smallish-city. Coincidences are cool.
Congrats to Mallory for graduating and you for your promotion! What a great week for your family.
And I quite agree with FP’s renaming suggestion!
Heather Said,
April 23, 2008 @ 10:05 am
Way to go Mallory! I hope she is very proud of her accomplishment. And when can she come put a winery in my yard? I’ve had shots of Bailey’s in edible chocolate cups before. I still dream about them.
Avitable Said,
April 23, 2008 @ 10:15 am
Damn those drinking cameras and their inebriated fuzzy shots.
mommymae Said,
April 23, 2008 @ 11:40 am
you look just like your mom!!! what a beautiful family! my favorite picture is the one with your dad beaming at his granddaughter. he looks so proud, as you all should be. i’m so happy to see pictures of what mallory has done.
mp Said,
April 23, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
…wasn’t I just talking about your beautiful mother?!
Is that Mallory’s winery? Such a clever talented girl!
Rigel Said,
April 23, 2008 @ 12:14 pm
Funny stuff! Your daughter’s work is beautiful. Family times are the best! Ahhhhh memories….
It’s easy to crash a party when you feel like your tuition dollars are going to support it.
The icing on the cake was that shot of Grammy and the Prez. Kudos to her!
smtwngrl Said,
April 23, 2008 @ 1:08 pm
How fun! Congrats to Mallory!
Hope you’re feeling better.
KC Said,
April 23, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
WOW… she is one talented woman - and deserves every praise! I love her art work… and her designs! Like momma… like daughta!
You look fabulous as usual… and have a very photogenic family! I see where the familial charater comes from… Grandma seems precious! How I would love to meet this woman!
Ciao bella… and CONGRATS to you for the talented fruit of your loins and Mallory - for her acheivements and accomplishments!
KC
Jessica Said,
April 23, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
WOW! Congrats to her
Congrats to you for being such a kick ass Mom!!
Jennifer James Said,
April 23, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
How awesome is that!?! How talented she is! Congratulations for raising such a wonderful daughter. And congratulations to your daughter for knowing her passion so early in life.
Citizen of the Month » Life Goes On Around the Blogosphere Said,
April 23, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
[...] Mocha Momma is proud of her daughter’s big Senior Project. [...]
Daisy Said,
April 24, 2008 @ 2:41 pm
Ah, so that’s why my camera doesn’t take good pix! It’s had too much wine! Or maybe it’s that hard lemonade with cranberry flavor. Mmm.
Jen Said,
April 26, 2008 @ 12:19 pm
Some one has just as much talent as their mom! How wonderful!!!