Catch-Up Post

Let's see, since my last post the following things have occurred:

All 3 kids had their end-of-the-year orchestra concerts. Very enjoyable for parents ("look - they're really learning something!") but not so much for non-parents.

M went to Six Flags with her orchestra class and had a great time, even though it rained the first 3 hours they were there.

We went to open house at the school Ty will go to next year. Sad, sad, sad for me, as this means there is no one left at the elementary school that we spent the last 11 years attending. I don't do change well, (especially when it isn't my idea!), so the whole idea of this is freaking me out.

Al & I celebrated our 19th anniversary on the 19th! A once-in-a-lifetime event! We marked the occasion by attending Andrew's concert at the high school, and then taking the kids out for ice cream. For my anniversary. Kids. Ice cream. Not what I would have picked. But it did taste good.

Now for the best part. Well, the best part if you have known me for 20 years and you know what this will mean to me. 'Nuf said.

(To those of you who "get" this - I love you)

We have a new friend!

Cute, huh? Yeah, I guess the turtle is too! We saw him walking up the street and decided to invite him in to play for the day. M and Ty will be very excited to see him too! He'll have to go home later, but he's keeping us busy for now.

Orchestra concert!

Every year our school district has a big concert that involves ALL of the orchestra students in the district from every school, elementary through high school. It's really neat; they each do a couple of their own pieces from the level they are at, and at the end they do a couple of pieces that include everyone. This was the first year that all my big kids were in it together! I admit it, I cried a little. It was such a milestone and I'm so proud of all of them. The crying happened when Jack kept pointing at Andrew and finally Andrew looked up and saw him and got the biggest grin. I realized as I'm sitting there being proud of them, Andrew was sitting there being proud of Jack!

So here are my musicians, after the concert:

He's home!!

Andrew's home! He had a terrific time! I do have a gripe however. They saw the White House, and the Washington Monument; they toured the Capitol and Ford Theater. They performed at a competition and went to museums. And the boy came home with about 20 photos of guns, 20 more of airplanes (air and space museum) and could not stop talking about the rides he went on at 6 Flags of America. Anyone else see the irony here? I love him and all but c'mon; where are the stories about seeing the Senate, or being inspired by monuments, or being awed by the architecture? Sheesh. I have one pic that might be great, but we'll see if I can get it off his phone!