This afternoon, there was a youth group parent meeting. The youth leaders led us in worship to start.
We learned that the youth group has a new name and focus--Velocity. And the youth band's new name is Steadfast. We were given the schedule for the rest of the year, and enjoyed games and snacks with our teens too.
Back at the beginning of December, we found out Annah was selected to participate in the All-State Chorus! This was based on her audition for the district choir back in October, when she actually had laryngitis! We have all been so excited for her to have this opportunity!
Early Thursday morning, Annah was all packed for 3 days of rehearsal in Peoria, and ready to go!
I took her to school and noticed her pre-arranged absence form on her desk. I love that her Spanish teacher's assignment for her is to "Canta con todo tu corazon"--or "Sing with all of your heart!"
Annah helps her music directors any time they have a project they need some extra help with, and has the honor of using the "Assistant's Desk" in the music office this year.
Mr. R drove Annah in the school van to Peoria, and she started rehearsal in a church across the street from the Civic Center Thursday morning. I got this text from her later in the morning...
The choir rehearsed all day Thursday and Friday, while the conference for music educators was going on--IMEC. The church coordinated catered lunches to be delivered for the students. Thursday evening, Annah attended a composition workshop/concert.
I saw on Facebook that Sylvia's cello teacher and one of her favorite former String Project teachers both won awards at the conference!
This morning, Sylvia and I headed over to Peoria to watch the concert! I was very nervous about getting to where we needed to be in downtown Peoria. I was a ridiculous mess for a while trying to navigate one-way streets and not hit any musicians, but we finally met Annah in the parking garage and went into the conference.
It was so great to see my tired, happy kid! She got a big soft pretzel and went back to get ready for the concert. Sylvia and I figured out where to order a CD and DVD of the concert and buy Annah an All-State t-shirt. They even put the list of everyone in the choir on the back--after I stood in line 6 times to get the right list. Haha.
Sylvia and I visited booths for Elmhurst College, Olivet Nazarene University, and Wheaton College before the concert.
It was quite a sight to walk into the arena and see the All State Orchestra, Chorus, and Band all next to each other and ready to perform!
We were told that over 25,000 students auditioned for these groups this year!
We found seats in the balcony and waited excitedly for the concert to start!
We found Annah--near the top left corner, 3rd row from the top, 2nd person in, wearing a red and black robe (borrowed from our kind neighboring school, Gibson City.)
288 singers in the Chorus
Annah very much enjoyed the conductor, Lee Nelson. She said he shared so many wonderful stories about his music journey and each song they learned.
While the ladies performed their featured piece, the gentelmen held their music up for them so they could have their hands available for clapping and snapping.
Sylvia said Annah had a few close-ups on the jumbo-tron, but I didn't catch them because I was looking through my camera. Hopefully she will be on the DVD we ordered.
VIDEO: Just a few song clips of the amazing choir!
To end the concert, all 3 ensembles were conducted by 3 different conductors in a spectacular rendition of the State Song of Illinois!
Annah is so grateful to have had this honor and experience! She loved every minute of it all!!!
This evening, Ridgeview hosted Clifton Central HS and Dwight HS for a wrestling meet.
Sylvia sang the national anthem.
I helped in the concession stand some at the beginning of the meet, but the 3 other JH wrestling moms that were helping agreed to let me out to watch the meet since I don't get to see much of Jeremy coaching his team.
Darren
Colton
Ethan
Billy
Coby
I am incredibly proud of Jeremy for his hard work, sacrifices, and dedication to coaching these boys.
Sylvia and Caeden went to the dentist this morning. Caeden was pretty excited about the mustache he got from the trinket machine.
Annah's Art 3 chalk butterfly project is hanging in the glass hallway at school right now. So beautiful!
We had the privilege of having Nola come to our house after school today! It worked out nicely, since Sylvia rode the bus home; they just came home together!
Nola was super excited to see the girls' room! Then she and Sylvia had a snack and did homework.
Meanwhile, I was running back and forth--outside in the mud, from bathroom to bathroom to flush toilets while 2 plumbers were trying to clear our septic line that has been clogged for 4 days! They were hollering loudly as they worked. It took them 2 full hours and $490, but now we can go to the bathroom at home again. Ugh...every winter it happens!
Sylvia had Nola spell all her spelling words for her, and she read us her reading story too! She is great reader!
The girls decided to play a little Wii once all their homework was finished. First they had to make a Nola Mii!
They chose Wii Music, and they got pretty good at the handbells!
This evening the JH wrestling team visited Kingsley JH. Pontiac JH's team was also there.
All 3 teams warmed up at the same time, which was kind of funny and definitely chaotic...
Getting some notes from Coach
Warming up
Ready to go
Caeden lost his first match to Pontiac. All of their wrestlers were very tough and strong!
Miss Nola shares the joy wherever she goes.
I love this kid and his smile!
Caeden handled his opponent from Kingsley well.
Well, that is not a position someone wants to stay in for long!
It's a WIN!
I was going to drive to the meet tonight, but when I went out to the garage, I found the Prius was completely dead. Not even a scary indicator light would come on! I think I left it running all day after coming back from walking this morning. So, Tracie drove. Because of that, we decided to take the boys with us, and we stopped at Steak 'n' Shake! The boys played on Miles' tablet a little bit after we ordered.
These guys tried to make double chins, but instead just came up with really scary faces!
Just being silly
Our server had been a wrestler for 9 years, and was so excited to see the boys come in! We had some great wrestling conversations with him!
It was a fun way to end the day--with sweet friends!
