Band Concert

Over the past few months, I have felt the need to be very critical of decisions that our school district has made. I know it probably seems to our board of education that all I do is complain. So in an attempt to not always be a complainer, I have decided to post a sunshine and rainbows report of my daughter's band concert. Two years ago, we got a new band director...this also happened to be Mallory and Madison's first year in band. This director is so young, that when we attended the meeting to pick instruments, Jim asked who the "kid helping" was. He is fresh out of college, and has such a passion for music, and it shows in his band kids. We really have enjoyed watching both of the girls progress from never having touched an instrument in their lives to being pretty good little players! Tonight's band concert was great! They sounded fabulous! The best part of watching this progress is that he keeps the kids so excited about what they are doing, that I have never once had to nag my kids to practice - they just do it...they want to please their teacher, and they want their band to sound great! I really hope that this director is here for a long, long time. Next year, Colin is wanting to play the drums! I hope that the drums are as fun for him as the flute and clarinet have been for the girls!

Sturgis?

Yesterday was cold and rainy, so the kids only got a little bit of outside time. Grandma set them free for a muddy little outing. She took this photo of Preston and Quincy playing with their friend, Cole.

It has been a bit crazy around here, as usual with the kids activities, and the parents activities as well. Jim and I have been trying to set a good example to our children by being involved members of the community, the school, and whatever else comes up where we are needed. All of this example setting makes for busy schedules though! Tonight the girls have a band concert. Last year, the district got a new band director. He is wonderful! The girls have really enjoyed being in band, and it is really hard to believe that they had never played an instrument 2 years ago....at all! They play pretty well! We enjoy listening to them. Madison is in the choir, and they are performing tonight as well. It should be a fun evening!

Home Alone?

Preston and the "Blue Angels"

photo updates

Hey Grace, If pigs are smart, why do they always stand in their water?

Colin with "Jenius"

KATY PIGGY

More...

As I said, yesterday was my cousin's wedding. I took several photos of Preston in his tux, and also have several photos of the new baby pigs, Preston's t-ball team and a few others, but we are having a little downloading difficulty, so I will just share this photo of Preston with my sister. Aunt Amy doesn't really enjoy wearing dresses, so she got a lot of torment from my children about looking so pretty!

The wedding itself was really nice. Everything went off smoothly, and everyone who was supposed to be there (groom) showed up! The reception was a little on the interesting side, as the tornado sirens went off and there were rotating clouds above the city of Lawrence. Jim and I decided that it was clear enough for us to take the kids and come on home, and we didn't have any trouble, or even hit any real rain. The folks at the reception didn't fare quite as well, and had to take cover in the basement of the reception hall. Nobody was hurt, and most thought it was a memorable wedding reception! I guess Kara and Ted will always remember how a tornado graced their first hours of marriage!

We had a great time at the 4-H swimming party today. And we were lucky enough to get our whole swim time in before the storms hit yet again, and they closed the pool! The aquatic center in Lawrence is really nice, and they have so much stuff for the kids to do, it is really fun! Quincy and Preston hung out with Madison on the slide and the boys spent almost the whole time perfecting their backflips off the high dive. I quit watching them after a few minutes, they kind of scare me! The more I fret, the more wild the dives seem to become. The easiest thing to do is let the lifeguard watch their antics!

Wedding...

My sister took this...I thought it was really sweet. Preston was an awesome ring bearer (with a little bribery). I will download my photos later today, but for now we are headed to a 4-H swimming party!