1st Marching Band Competition

Addie came for lessons early this morning.  You would think it had been weeks since she and Annah had seen each other, when really it had been less than 10 hours.  So glad they're friends.

This afternoon, we took Annah to school and helped the band get ready for their first marching competition!  Caeden carried Addie's harness for a second while the girls loaded their uniforms into the trailer.

Band members have to check in with a parent volunteer to make sure they have every piece of the uniform. 

Today's competition was hosted by Normal West HS at Tucci Stadium at Illinois Wesleyan University.  It was gorgeous day, and we enjoyed watching all the class A and AA bands.

The brothers of IWU Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia sang the national anthem beautifully.  Seeing them out there, reminded me of my favorite Sinfonia brothers, some of my dearest friends during my days Capital.

Our band was the second of the day to perform. 

Drum majors salute

Annah is in the front row, just to the right of the 50 here:

At the end of the first song, the band is forming a heart with the young couple who has just fallen in love dancing in the middle.

drum majors (ours on the far right)

Drum majors accepting the band's 2nd place award!

What a great day!

BFF's

The kids spent some time with their friends Addie and Reece this evening.  They had pizza and watched Teen Beach Movie 2 and Annah and Addie picked out homecoming dress-up day outfits, and, and, and...

They always have so much fun together that they don't want to be separated when it's time.  

So thankful for friends like these.

Caeden's big day

It was pretty cool to get this email from Caeden's teacher today!

Eye therapy for Sylvia

When Sylvia had her yearly eye appointment this past summer, there were some indications of problems.  Dr. W recommended Sylvia read without her glasses over the summer, and scheduled an appointment for her to be re-evaluated a month after school started.

After school started, Sylvia mentioned having some troubles reading and seeing.  We went for that follow-up appointment a couple weeks ago, and Dr. W re-tested her vision.  She suggested bifocals, and Sylvia said, "Please, no!"  When we explained in further detail the kind of struggles Sylvia had been having, Dr W said it sounded like a tracking problem and immediately had her do some other types of testing.  Sylvia did pretty poorly on those tests, and they indicated that she has a couple problems going on that need therapy.

Yesterday afternoon we met with Katie, the therapist, for some more evaluation and explanations of the exercises in Sylvia's therapy packet.

It wasn't exactly fun for Sylvia, but she is anxious to get going with the exercises if they will make a difference.  She has noticed it affecting her test grades, so she is willing to do what it takes to correct the problems.

She is doing her exercises in the morning before school.

I'm praying the therapy will help her!

This week in music at our house

I have some new students in my piano studio, and today Hunter and Ainsley each earned their first 100 points prize!

Mikaela has been with me for a long time now, and also earned a 100 points prize for hitting 1800 points today!  I love teaching music!!

These two looked pretty cute coming home from school today with their ginormous instruments.

We learned a few months ago that Sylvia is ready for a full-size cello.  She has been borrowing a 3/4 size from ISU String Project, but they don't have any full-size.  So that means we have to buy her one.  That is not financially possible right now.  The one she was borrowing was apparently on its last leg, and Dr. R sent home a brand new 3/4 size with Sylvia yesterday. 

RHS Marching Band Preview Night

Tonight the RHS Marching Mustangs held a preview night for families and friends to see their show performed in the [brand new!] uniforms under the lights on the field.  

Especially loved seeing this girl in her uniform!

Alexis, Annah, and Taylor, ready for their first marching band performance...

They marched from outside the band room around the track to the far end of the field...

They did their Monster Stomp--a favorite of every crowd! 

We were so happy to see the stands full of families and fans of the band tonight!!!

They look GREAT in the new uniforms, and it is so exciting to see Annah out there on the field!!!

There she is!  (Second from the right, with glasses)

The show is called, "Your Memory Will Carry On," and is Mr. M's arrangements of songs by My Chemical Romance. 

The story the color guard portrays is a young couple who meets and falls in love.  

The young man joins the military and goes off to war, much to the disappointment of the young lady.


He is killed in action, and she is "killed" when she discovers that he has died.  

His "spirit" returns to her and she is comforted by the memories they made together.  

It brings a tear, I must admit!

I'm really proud of these kids!!!  There are around 70 kids in the RHS marching band.  That is about 50% of the kids in the entire high school!  There is a lot to be said about that, I think!  At such a small school, for so many kids to be involved in a band is impressive.  And all of them are involved in other school activities right now too--volleyball, football, golf, student council, vocal jazz ensemble, fall play, you name it.  I am pretty happy about the fact that these kids can be involved in multiple activities and do so well at all of them.  Fun stuff!