Jahnu’s Graduation Celebration, Day 2: Food Logistics, Photos, Jenga Advice, and a Serious Nap

June 7, 2025

Woke up (somewhat) early, as today was the party day. Shane’s brother was making an hour trek to bring outdoor chairs and canopies around 10:45 AM, and there was still a decent amount left to do around the house.

We had done some picking up the night before, clearing off a lot of kitchen counter space. Stacey had some Costco Egg Bites that I was eating for breakfast, but this morning I realized that both the microwave and coffee maker had been relocated to the guest room last night. So a quick run to Starbucks later, I’m back a the house looking for something to do to help.

Jasmine and Jahnu, setting up a 2025 balloon banner.

Outside looking in, before the party begins.

With most everyone else occupied, the time rolled around to where someone needed to go and pick up a lot of the food (breadsticks from Olive Garden, rice and appetizers from Panda Express, and a cake from Costco).

I got tagged in as a free pair of hands (and also someone with a car). So I ended up bopping around to grab all the food ahead of time.

Back home, with everything set up and ready for the guests to arrive.

Jahnu’s photo wall. It’s hard to believe he started on this the morning of the party, and was done in time before it began (at noon).

Oh hey! I recognize that photo!

A fun idea (that I stole from Jackson’s graduation party) – Jenga blocks, where guests could add their advice.

Jasmine set up a photo area for group shots (this was a joint celebration between Jahnu and Ryan [on the far right]).

There were several old teachers (from elementary school) that also showed up, along with a former principal! Stacey works for Washington Township, so she also got to know several of the faculty beyond just as a parent.

Many blocks were filled out, and all advice is… not necessarily equal. I would love to some day read all the various notes that everyone shared.

It’s interesting to note – there were definitely several “phases” to the event. There were more family members and adults at the start of the party (I got to hang out briefly with my Aunt Vicky and Uncle Benny, who stopped in to say congrats). And then the numbers shifted a bit in the early afternoon, as more and more of Jahnu and Ryan’s friends/peers showed up.

The event wound down in the late afternoon, as many of the younger kids had other parties to run off to. And so we slowly packed up, and slowly got the house back to a more normal state one again.

I rode with Stacey back to her office, to offload the tables we had borrowed the day prior. And then when we got home, I crashed out pretty hard (my nap was for a good 2+ hours).

It was pretty late when I got up, and I plopped on the couch next to my sister who was sleeping. When she stirred, I asked her how long she had been sleeping and she said “About 5 minutes.” Which is on brand, because I think she had continued to clean and pick up the house, all while I was out snoozing away.

Kaya, who was really great and on her best behavior during the party… walking around, and being friendly to all the guests. You could really tell that she was also exhausted after the day, and was just in full on nap mode the rest of the evening.