Megan's First Band Concert

Last night we went to Megan's first Band Concert. It was actually quite a production... It was for Band, Choir, and Orchestra, for 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Since Both 6th and 7th graders are new to Middle School this year, 2/3 of the performances were beginning groups! They were actually very good-much better than I remember beginning bands sounding when I was in middle school... What I was most impressed by, though, was how amazing the 8th graders were. Since they were new to middle school last year, that means that they have only been playing for a year and a half. The difference was incredible! It will be very interesting to see what Megan's group sounds like in 8th grade, since they will be playing for almost three years by then.

Megan has been playing Clarinet since the beginning of the year, and the plan is for her to switch to oboe in January. We are planning for her to play each instrument for half the year, so when she gets to High School, she can play Clarinet for Marching Season, and Oboe for Concert Season.

I know this picture is just aweful... I only had my camera phone with me, since my good camera is not working. Since Hanukkah Harry hasn't brought me a new one yet, I am hoping that Santa brings me one. (Or, maybe I will get one for our anniversary!) (Don't ya just love subtlety?)

Anyway, Megan is at the edge of the stage (you know I was hating not having my camera!), in the third row (the easiest way is to count knees:))

I know you can't tell at all in the picture, but they all looked so cute in their Santa hats.

After the first half of the groups went, I went to go sit with Megan's band. The kids were very sweet, and all the little girls in my Girl Scout troop were waiting for me to tell them how great they all were. (Of course, they all will be earning a music badge of some kind).

Jacob's First Movie

We took Jacob to see his first movie today. It might not "Bee" a classic, but I think he enjoyed it. He sat still through about half of it (that's how long his popcorn lasted). After that, he still did okay... It's always easier to judge your kid's behavior, when there are other kids around acting crazier!

Megan and Matthew said they "kind of" liked it. I guess they would rate it a solid "Bee". John and I thought there were a few GREAT lines. I can't say our favorite, since I know that Mike reads this regularly. :) ...it was a lawyer joke...

Overall, we did enjoy it, but it's not really worth all the buzzzzz... okay I'll stop now.

While on the topic of movies, last week, Megan, Matthew and I went with Megan's Girl Scout troop to see the movie, Dan In Real Life. It was a big deal, since Peter Hedges, the writer/director of the movie, was in San Angelo for the premier. (His father lives here, so SA claims him as our own.) The movie was good. I think I would have enjoyed it if I didn't have to worry about 10 11-year-olds and Matthew being in the audience. There were some inuendos that I'm not sure they "got" (hopefully).

But, after the movie, Peter Hedges took time to sign autographs for all the girls in my troop and Matthew. He even came back outside to meet them, and talked to each one as he was signing. It meant so much to them, and Peter Hedges now has a new fan (me). It doesn't matter to me whether his movies are blockbusters; it is much more important that he took the time to make 10 little girls and my little boy feel important enough for him to spend 20 minutes with them on the premier night of his newest flick. And, it was even between shows. After our showing (all Girl Scout people), the next showing had an audience of all the "high society" people in this town. (We like to let them think they are, anyway :) )

Boy Scout Family Camp

We had so much fun camping this past weekend! The kids did so much in one day-- Archery, Paddleboats, shooting Beebee guns, an obstacle course, the VERY popular mud pit, campfires, and of course, s'mores! Here are just a few pictures from our great weekend. Matthew on the obstacle Course

Matthew in the Mud Pit!

Boy Scout Family Camp

The kids had SO much fun in the MUD PIT!!!
Megs getting ready to shoot an arrow...

Camping Pictures

Matthew was reading Harry Potter by the lantern's light!

Megan just loved roasting marshmallows by the campfire... All the kids had a great time making s'mores!

A Busy Day for the Kids...

Today was the last day of Matthew's basketball camp at ASU. He has had a great week, even though it started off not-so-great. It seems there was a kid who was bullying him on Monday. I had to talk him into going back on Tuesday, and I'm so glad I did! He was all excited when I picked him up, saying that his group played a game of Hot Shot, and he got the second highest score in the group! After that, "the Bully" started showing him some respect. And, today, Matthew won "Most Improved Player" of his group at camp. Way to go, Matthew!

Earlier today, Megan got her hair cut. This was not just a regular haircut; Megan was planning to cut off 12 inches of her hair, and make a donation to "Locks of Love". We have been talking about this for months, and we both finally got tired of brushing it out every day. It looks so great, and on the way to basketball practice today, I asked her to brush her hair. She was so cute-- 5 seconds later, she said, "I'm done!" She has been complaining that it is too short (Jenny had to cut it shorter than we'd planned to make it even), but I think she will love it when the compliments begin.

While Megan was getting her hair cut, Jacob was sitting in his stroller, waiting patiently. He'd just woken up from a nap, so he was looking a little tired... Ms. Jenny offered him a sucker, and since he was so sweet when he answered, she gave him two! Of course, he had to have them both at the same time. And, of course, I had to take pictures.