Friday, March 30, 2012
Spring Orchestra Festival
On Monday, several schools in our district gathered to have a combined performance for the Spring Orchestra Festival. All of the 5th graders performed together, then all the 6th graders, and so on. For the last number, the big finale, all grades played together. That's a lot of strings playing at once!
It is fun to watch these performances that include the beginning 5th graders and really see how far the older kids have come. And it's neat for the beginners (and their parents) to see just how far they'll be able to go if they stick with it. I heard several parents gasp when they heard the 6th graders, right after the 5th graders had performed, and then say, "Wow, what a difference one year makes!" It is true!
Here are the songs that the 7th graders performed, then the finale. I apologize for my very poor viewing spot, we were running late getting there and had to sit in the upper section, which came with a rail that was right in my way. :S
It is fun to watch these performances that include the beginning 5th graders and really see how far the older kids have come. And it's neat for the beginners (and their parents) to see just how far they'll be able to go if they stick with it. I heard several parents gasp when they heard the 6th graders, right after the 5th graders had performed, and then say, "Wow, what a difference one year makes!" It is true!
Here are the songs that the 7th graders performed, then the finale. I apologize for my very poor viewing spot, we were running late getting there and had to sit in the upper section, which came with a rail that was right in my way. :S
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Strings Ensemble Performance
Every year, orchestras, bands, and choirs in middle schools and high schools can participate in solo and ensemble contests. The high school ages have a chance to continue on to State, if they are good enough. It isn't required for any of the kids to participate, it is completely voluntary. And it gives them a chance to perform before a judge who then gives them comments that are designed to help them improve their performance skills. I am really glad that Acadia chose to participate this year.
In fact, she participated in two different ensemble groups. One was larger than the other. The first was hand selected by her teacher (still voluntary, but this group was invited and encouraged) and the other was just a group of the kids that wanted to do even more. Good for them! :) The two groups performed in front of the same judge, but at separate times and were graded separately.
The contest was a few weeks ago, and I'm slow getting this up, but late is better than never. ;) I've included the judge's remarks after each piece, so if you don't want to watch her remarks, just skip ahead a little to get to the next song. The judge had great things to say to both groups and we recently learned that she scored both groups the highest score possible!
In fact, she participated in two different ensemble groups. One was larger than the other. The first was hand selected by her teacher (still voluntary, but this group was invited and encouraged) and the other was just a group of the kids that wanted to do even more. Good for them! :) The two groups performed in front of the same judge, but at separate times and were graded separately.
The contest was a few weeks ago, and I'm slow getting this up, but late is better than never. ;) I've included the judge's remarks after each piece, so if you don't want to watch her remarks, just skip ahead a little to get to the next song. The judge had great things to say to both groups and we recently learned that she scored both groups the highest score possible!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Freaky Photos with Sami
A while ago, we had Sami spend the night with us and found quite a bit of enjoyment in playing with her new laptop and it's crazy photo app. Here is a slideshow of the pics we took...
Sunday, March 18, 2012
St. Patty's Day
On Friday morning, I quickly tried a St. Patrick's Day "do" for Rori's hair. We were running a little short on time, so I couldn't put as much effort into being as neat and clean with it as I'd have liked, but it still turned out pretty cute. I figured I'd master it "for reals" the next day (on the *real* St. Patrick's Day). Good thing I took a pic of it instead of waiting for the "real" one...
Because in the wee mornin' hours on St. Patty's Day, Ryan and I heard a wee li'l knock on our bedroom door, followed by...
"Dad, my tummy hurts and I think I'm hungry."
She asked for Dad, so I was happy to let him take this one. I questioned the idea of giving her food in the middle of the night and when she said her tummy hurt, but he said, "Don't worry, I'll just give her something simple."
Oh, okay, that's a good idea. I went back to sleep.
About 15-20 minutes later I heard, "Dad!" called from the other room. Conveniently, he didn't hear it. Then, "MOM!"
When I got to her room, she said, "I barfed." Hoping for only a little mess, I went to check out the damage. It was not little. And I knew right away that whatever he had given her a few minutes earlier was NOT simple. I called out to him, "What did you feed her????" ..."String cheese." "Not the best choice, Hon!" (Not said in the most loving tone.)
Figures. He has the wussiest stomach when it comes to this. He gags at the very thought, so I knew I couldn't even make him clean up the mess. I will spare the details here, but she was thorough and it was not fun.
After stripping the bed, bathing her, and starting the first load of laundry, we set her up with a bed on the couch... and a bowl, which she unfortunately did end up having to use but thankfully, this time, it was contained and easy to take care of.
Needless to say, St. Patrick's Day wasn't so jolly and we didn't do any fun hair-dos. Instead we lounged about eating soda crackers and watching movies. :S
Because in the wee mornin' hours on St. Patty's Day, Ryan and I heard a wee li'l knock on our bedroom door, followed by...
"Dad, my tummy hurts and I think I'm hungry."
She asked for Dad, so I was happy to let him take this one. I questioned the idea of giving her food in the middle of the night and when she said her tummy hurt, but he said, "Don't worry, I'll just give her something simple."
Oh, okay, that's a good idea. I went back to sleep.
About 15-20 minutes later I heard, "Dad!" called from the other room. Conveniently, he didn't hear it. Then, "MOM!"
When I got to her room, she said, "I barfed." Hoping for only a little mess, I went to check out the damage. It was not little. And I knew right away that whatever he had given her a few minutes earlier was NOT simple. I called out to him, "What did you feed her????" ..."String cheese." "Not the best choice, Hon!" (Not said in the most loving tone.)
Figures. He has the wussiest stomach when it comes to this. He gags at the very thought, so I knew I couldn't even make him clean up the mess. I will spare the details here, but she was thorough and it was not fun.
After stripping the bed, bathing her, and starting the first load of laundry, we set her up with a bed on the couch... and a bowl, which she unfortunately did end up having to use but thankfully, this time, it was contained and easy to take care of.
Needless to say, St. Patrick's Day wasn't so jolly and we didn't do any fun hair-dos. Instead we lounged about eating soda crackers and watching movies. :S
Friday, March 9, 2012
Service Project, by numbers
Unlike one of the last environmental service projects our family participated in, last month we, along with several other members of our church, spent some time planting baby trees to help and improve our community.
Here is the breakdown:
2 hours
30-40 volunteers
620 trees
About 2 donuts per person
... and zero cups of coffee. ;)
It was a little chilly that morning, and it was a really messy job, but we all managed to have a bit of fun! :)
Here is the breakdown:
2 hours
30-40 volunteers
620 trees
About 2 donuts per person
... and zero cups of coffee. ;)
It was a little chilly that morning, and it was a really messy job, but we all managed to have a bit of fun! :)
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
In Like a Lion
That's how they say March starts, right?
We've had a very mild winter (along with almost everyone else in the country) so it was fun to wake up to this on March 1st.
All my plants and flowers looked so cold... They are tough though, they can take it. ;)
It really wasn't a lot of snow. I wouldn't say this was "in like a lion", more like a lion cub. They didn't even call it a snow day or delay schools. The roads were clear without any plows or anything and by lunchtime, almost all of the snow was gone. But knowing that would be the case, I got Rori ready a little early for school so she would have some time playing in it before the bus came. Ryan was leaving for work about the same time, so they engaged in a little snowball fight in the front yard.
Sure enough, as the bus pulled up to take the kids to school, we could see the sun trying to break through the clouds.
And just like that, the snow was gone. But it was fun while it lasted!
We've had a very mild winter (along with almost everyone else in the country) so it was fun to wake up to this on March 1st.
All my plants and flowers looked so cold... They are tough though, they can take it. ;)
It really wasn't a lot of snow. I wouldn't say this was "in like a lion", more like a lion cub. They didn't even call it a snow day or delay schools. The roads were clear without any plows or anything and by lunchtime, almost all of the snow was gone. But knowing that would be the case, I got Rori ready a little early for school so she would have some time playing in it before the bus came. Ryan was leaving for work about the same time, so they engaged in a little snowball fight in the front yard.
Sure enough, as the bus pulled up to take the kids to school, we could see the sun trying to break through the clouds.
And just like that, the snow was gone. But it was fun while it lasted!
We are gathered here today...
... to mourn the nearly deceased.
Last month, my uncle turned 55 years old. It is interesting that the older I get, the less these numbers sound very "old" to me. My uncle is young, active, strong, healthy, and lots of fun. So my aunt decided to throw him a surprise "over the hill" kind of party.
In the form of a mock funeral.
LOVE IT!
Sami kept him out of the house while the rest of us got ready. I had made veils for all of the girls to wear, we all wore black, my aunt wrote a eulogy for my cousin to read, we lit candles EVERYWHERE and had photos of Matthew on the fireplace, kind of shrine-like.
As they arrived home, we sat in rows of fold up chairs and began whimpering, even at times wailing. Once he entered the room, Spencer began the eulogy. Afterwards, we each took turns standing and sharing our memories of Matthew and how much we loved him.
It was so awesome!
After a few minutes of this mockery, we turned the lights on, turned our veils around, and had a party! :)
Here is the birthday boy, mourning his own loss of youth....
... or perhaps, sanity. ;)
Just one more photo because I just love it. I love how patient my cousins all are with my kids. They never make them feel like they are annoying. Spencer sat and listened to Rori ramble on about - who knows what - for quite awhile. lol Such a good sport and nice guy. :)
It was a fun night. And we are all really glad that Matthew isn't really dead. We sure love him! :)
Last month, my uncle turned 55 years old. It is interesting that the older I get, the less these numbers sound very "old" to me. My uncle is young, active, strong, healthy, and lots of fun. So my aunt decided to throw him a surprise "over the hill" kind of party.
In the form of a mock funeral.
LOVE IT!
Sami kept him out of the house while the rest of us got ready. I had made veils for all of the girls to wear, we all wore black, my aunt wrote a eulogy for my cousin to read, we lit candles EVERYWHERE and had photos of Matthew on the fireplace, kind of shrine-like.
As they arrived home, we sat in rows of fold up chairs and began whimpering, even at times wailing. Once he entered the room, Spencer began the eulogy. Afterwards, we each took turns standing and sharing our memories of Matthew and how much we loved him.
It was so awesome!
After a few minutes of this mockery, we turned the lights on, turned our veils around, and had a party! :)
Here is the birthday boy, mourning his own loss of youth....
... or perhaps, sanity. ;)
Just one more photo because I just love it. I love how patient my cousins all are with my kids. They never make them feel like they are annoying. Spencer sat and listened to Rori ramble on about - who knows what - for quite awhile. lol Such a good sport and nice guy. :)
It was a fun night. And we are all really glad that Matthew isn't really dead. We sure love him! :)
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Peek-a-boo
I keep playing a disappearing act. Then just when you think I'll never post again, I pop back up... and lately, only to disappear again the minute you turn your back.
Don't know why. Busy. But I'm always busy. And I'm less busy now than I used to be... but then, I didn't always post very frequently then, either.
I have more photos that I need to upload and will post on. I have a couple videos, too.
But first, I'll update on stuff that I don't have photos/videos for since that will be quicker.
Don't know why. Busy. But I'm always busy. And I'm less busy now than I used to be... but then, I didn't always post very frequently then, either.
I have more photos that I need to upload and will post on. I have a couple videos, too.
But first, I'll update on stuff that I don't have photos/videos for since that will be quicker.
- Rori took gymnastics for a little over a year but then told me she wanted to try dance classes instead. So, this week she'll be taking her first dance class. It is a ballet/jazz class, which I think she'll love. She is SO EXCITED!!! She already picked out what to wear today and wanted to sleep in it last night. I reminded her that she still had to go to school in the morning first, so she'd have to put on school clothes when she woke up. In the end, she decided to sleep in pjs. Good choice. ;)
- Ryan had been serving in our church as the ward executive secretary for a little over a year and was recently released from that calling and instead called to serve as a Sunday School teacher for the 16-17 year olds. I think it's cool that we both use the same manual. I team teach with someone, but on the weeks I do teach, we'll be mostly using the same material. I'm sure we'll be able to have some good discussions as we each prepare. :)
- We recently booked our flights for a visit back East. It has been awhile since we've been back for a visit and we are very excited to be going! We plan to take a trip up to Acadia National Park while we're there and since we love it there so much we know it will be awesome. We'll be able to celebrate Cadi's birthday and Father's Day in Massachusetts with Ryan's dad, and that will be really cool, too.
- The weather around here has been weird. We had a very mild winter, too mild, actually. Now we keep switching off from absolutely gorgeous days and totally crummy days. I'm just waiting for it to make up it's mind so I can do some gardening. I've got tons of bulbs coming up that I had planted last fall, so that's been fun to watch. I need to decide what else I want to plant now and what I want in my vegetable garden this year.
I'm hoping to upload the photos and videos soon, and when I do, I will be sure to post them!
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