Spring Band Concert

Alice on Clarinet, and Emily on E flat Alto Saxophone, had their first spring concert, on a Wednesday night, in the Gym.  Part of the new bond in their district includes building a multi-use facility that will improve the concert set up for the band. = )

Both bands were sitting at the same time, and so the concert was a back and forth between beginning band and 7th/8th grade band.

The beginning band E flat alto saxophone section received the 'most engaged' section of the woodwind class, and Emily received "happiest to be there" in the woodwind class. = )

 Alice got a nod for being one of only a handful in her band who had only been on their instrument for a year!  

The award ceremony was strange, as it was in the middle of the concert, and each of the recipients of the individual awards were part of the section who received their award (like Emily, who got two, and many others who got none.) The band director has been ill, so I don't know if this were par for the course, or if it were abnormal.  I guess we'll find out next year!

Afterwards was a sugar reception, lol, with cake and cookies and brownies and cupcakes.  It was an impressive spread, considering the email call for goodies went out at almost 10pm the night before.  We contributed some premade sugar cookies that I'd bought for Grace's Easy Bake oven (and they were about to expire, long before she could bake them all!)

later days

edit: written 6-15-23 and backdated for continuity. 

Emily's Optimist Award Night

A few weeks ago, Emily brought home a letter that she had been nominated for the Optimist Award through her school.  After congratulations and reading the letter, I of course went out to see what exactly the Optimist Creed said.

Okay, so yes, she definitely embodies many aspects of this creed. lol. 

The next week I shopped for a new dress, for her to wear at the ceremony. The first store I scoured was the 'discount' Goodwill, where clothes are sold by the pound, and nothing is sorted and there are just tables and tables of clothing mounds. The clothes are nice, but it's difficult to find something specific*.

My next stop was at a tiny thrift shop at the other end of town, and there on the children's rack, pulled away from the other clothing, hung a size 12 dress, shiny, beautiful, and only $2.  It was just meant to be for my Emily. = )

Fast forward to this week, and after a wildly busy day of substituting for the twins' teacher, then a virtual doctor visit for Juliet, it was time for Emily and I to head down to Charlotte to get her checked in.  Billy couldn't get away from work early enough to ride with us, so he joined me in the audience later.

The programs they passed out were very informative, giving a history of the optimists as well as a local chapter history.  They listed out all 154 nominees, their home school, and who put forth their nomination. 

After a short introduction by some local dignitaries, they started announcing each student and what their nominator had to say about their optimism. = )

Emily was nominated by Mr. Smith, her band director, and came across the stage in the second row of students.  The audience was packed for her crossing. = )  

It turns out, that it's somewhere around "M" that people in the audience start to excuse themselves.  By the time we got to the "W"s the audience was restless** and diminished, and when the final student crossed the stage, the applause was enthusiastic. 

They gave us an opportunity to photograph the collection of award winners!  Emily is 3-4 students from the left, hidden mostly behind the little girl in a long white dress.

She received 3 papers: one was from the city of Charlotte, one was from the state of Michigan (Angela Whitwer's office), and the final was a copy of the nomination that Mr. Smith submitted to the optimists, and one medallion from the optimist club. 

There was a reception afterwards where they served cake, ice cream, cookies and lemonade to the students and their guests^. Emily was full smiles the entire time, and even got to say hi to Mr. Smith before he left.

Quite a stash for the 'awards binder' that I keep.

We sure our proud of our optimistic Emily!!

later days

*it is for sure a store where you are told what you want, versus trying to track down something you want. lol.

** I pointed out to Billy where my maiden name would have fallen on the program. It's something he will get to "enjoy" the rest of our children's school years. ; )

^they capped the guests for each student at 4, so Alice stayed home with WGJ, and Emily got to enjoy Billy and my undivided attention.

Ending the MOPS Year, and Other Brief Moments From Spring.

Next year is my final year that I will be eligible for MOPS (and I'm out of room* on my cabinet door.)  I am saddened by this thought, but the reality is that my woes are drastically different now that they are all going to school.  Our group is planning to put those of us with "older" children together at a table next year, for which I am very grateful. = )

At our meeting, the theme was MOPSCARS, and everyone on the steering team worked so hard to make it happen.  Lots of awards, kind words and small gifts were presented.

It was an opportunity for all of us to get dressed up (or not) and celebrate!

I also received a new member into my plant family, as a table leader gift.  Please meet Ward. = )

My award was for being thriftiest and giftiest (I don't actually remember the wording.)  And, I scored all the chocolate.  (Here she is Jessica!)

In our museum membership newsletter, they printed a list of requested donation items for their think tank.  I had a box full after my garage sale, so last week the twins, Avia and I headed over there to drop them off.  I asked if the girls wanted to go in an play for a little while.  Juliet was quick to respond "no, a long while!"

So, Avia and Juliet paired off, as well as me and Grace.  We spent a couple of hours playing and learning in depth.

I was letting William look at a picture that I had taken, and he started taking other pictures.  I really enjoy looking at the pictures that Alice and Emily took on the little camera in Houston, so I thought I might like to see this one in the future too.

The twins intentionally dressed as identically as possible in an effort to fool their teachers.  I can tell them apart with ease, even without their glasses on. But if they were to trade glasses I would be hard pressed to sort them out quickly. ; )

We counted out how many cookies Avia would get by our family rule. (age/4 +1)  It was quite a pile.  And on her next birthday she'll get one more!

William wanted the toilet paper box, so he was responsible for putting away the toilet paper.  He did a decent job, at least they were all in the bathroom.

And my final and newest picture of the night, Hat Day.

We still have 3 jam-packed weeks of school left, but I know it will fly by.  Anxiously awaiting our summer, such that it is.

later days

*I feel like my very first year in MOPS either they didn't sent out a printable, or I neglected to keep it.  This next year should be my 7th year in MOPS.