Christopher is 18 today

Today was Chris' 18th birthday. He is quite happy to "no longer be a kid". Actually, he is acting better lately at home, trying to be a little more respectful in his tone of voice and actions. We have been keeping up with his driving practice and I hope to have the 50 hours experience required of Driver's Ed logged by the end of next weekend. Chris now has appointment for his army physical and his personal interview. Both of those will be completed on the same date, May 18th. Hopefully at that time he will find out when he can expect to begin basic training. He also received a call telling him that he has been accepted for the position of camp counsellor at Camp Kee-mo-kee this summer. It could all work out perfectly if basic begins toward Fall, which is what Chris currently believes. We are also still awaiting word from the "auto body pre-apprenticeship" program at Fanshawe. He applied for that and did the required preadmission tests during March break. We were told he would be notified beginning of May, if he is a possible candidate, then an interview for that is the next step. Chris' first choice among all these options is Army, all the way and as soon as possible. From the time he applied, he had his mind made up that he was getting in and nothing else mattered. When report cards were issued a few weeks ago the power of internet and high school parent portal gave him a rude awakening. After much discussion between parents and his teachers, Chris was forced to complete MANY missing assignments, at home, under duress. He is now apparently back in the game at school and hopefully passing the classes once again. I still consider a high school diploma a necessary thing, even if the army doesn't require more than grade 10 for the job Chris has chosen.