Oct '22

 

"Mom, Chandler just stepped on me. I think he broke my finger." This was one week after 'someone' stepped on his trombone. This was on 8th grade night, so I was already up at the school helping get the kids into their uniforms. I had the band medic look at it (she is a pediatric head nurse at Children's Hospital). She said it was hard to tell right then, but to put ice on it and she put a tiny splint it. The next morning I sent her these pictures. Yep, it's a broken finger tip. Put a full finger splint on it and wear it for 4 weeks. Do I feel bad that I didn't get my son's finger x-rayed when it was clearly broken? Kinda. But the medic said, we charge $3K for a $7 splint, so I wouldn't bother going.

Some blessings, it was his right hand ring finger. You don't need that finger to play the trombone. You can type with just 3 fingers (in fact most kids peck at keys anyways). And pencil usage is way down on high school campuses. He probably only needed a pencil for pre-cal!

Back at UNT.

Alex has been having a great semester. Lots and lots of music. But emotionally he is in a great place. He has joined the school Triathlon club and is training to compete in the Half Ironman race being held in Hawaii next June.  

Band parent night so see the progress from summer band camp. I'm not sure why these are sorted in October, but here they are anyway.

Band directors.

Such a cute little t-shirt quilt!

I got to go to two band contests in one day. UNT was the exhibition band for Bands of America competition in Dallas. I got to watch some of the best bands in the state of Texas while waiting for Alex's group. 

It was awesome to get to see my boy up close in his uniform. I also got to chat with last year's roommate for a bit. 

Meanwhile Ryan was in DENTON (where Alex goes to college) for his band competition. I scooted up the I-35 and got to watch his group perform in the finals. They got 4th place at this competition. 

Skating is so cool. 

In a few weeks M has to decide her 4 year plan for high school. We went to the career center and checked out all the classes. She was still undecided when we left. But she did get to make house plans with Dan.

The band president decided what the kids really needed before going to UIL was a room full of balloons. The kids were happy. I was less so when they were told 'hey, band! pop the balloons!' 

The band got straight first ratings for their performance.

While I was at UIL with the band, M and D went to a UNT football game. Macey claimed it was the boringest thing ever!

Hockey practice with items found around the house!

Dan got us tickets to an FC Dallas (Major League Soccer) playoff game. It was an awesome game that went into overtime and then PK shootout. Dallas won! So fun. It was also like 60 degrees and we were feeling very cold!

At one of the last games of the season the YM and YW showed up to support the Cen10 band kids/football team. I love this pic of these kids who have been friends a long time.

Spork won this staring contest. Every time the lizard is on the floor Lucy acts like she has never seen a lizard before.

Our last Wester Halloween Concert. We've been going to these since 2015 (minus COVID year of course).

Area marching contest. I spent a lot of my time hemming (snapping!) pant legs. 

Chaperones with the buses.

Most of these awesome ladies go to game after contest after game after parade etc. I only tagged along on a few key events where looking good was vital! These ladies are saints, and I really appreciate them slogging through the heat and stink of 150 band kids on buses!

This competitive season ended with the band getting 8th place out of 19 in our region. This is probably the hardest region in Texas. Since we've been going to Area with Alex to now, we have always gotten 5th at this event. The competition has really upped their game (including their dues and time commitment). Our kids are awesome and did their best. Can't ask for more than that!

Sept '22

 

Some projects I made to sell at Stitches a yarn boutique in downtown Plano.

Another lovely sunset.

UNT vs. SMU

The Green Brigade.

Once Alex was moved into his apartment, Ryan started eyeing his larger room! We now have a napping, hangout with Spork, got up to early to do anything except the crossword puzzle, etc. room!

Centennial vs Sherman.

UNT vs Texas Southern

These are gauntlets. They are worn on the wrist over the band uniform. They were the enemy this semester! They were oversized and we didn't have enough to fit everyone. The velcro is catching on our brand new uniforms and tearing them up. The order arrived with one football game left. Band mom troubles!

A nice day to visit the creek.

Day one of wearing our brand new marching hats and plumes (they arrived late October last year and weren't worn until this year.)

Youth activity with Aubree.

Red out game at the Star at the Ford Center.

Middle school band night with Lawler. I get the premise, but it is nearly impossible to hear them and harder to get a picture!

"Mom, will you make me this bee??" "No, I don't know how and it looks hard." The next day, hmm, how hard can it really be? Not hard at all!

Teaching dad to play the french horn.

Gus the Ghost from Pottery Barn knock-off. I'm sure the $85 one is better quality, but my $6 one is just as cute!

"So mom, at practice yesterday..." Did I mention that this came out of the shop with $300 worth of repairs the WEEK BEFORE?! The band covered the cost of this repair since it happened during rehearsal. Only took them 3 weeks to repair it. Good thing this was the instrument stepped on and not his concert one. We've now had a trumpet and a trombone squashed during marching season. Lame.

Our neighbor texted and asked if we knew anyone who could use some donated furniture. Actually, yes! Our boy's apartment has no furniture in the living room. One couch, love seat, recliner (which didn't fit) 2 end tables and 1 coffee table later... Thanks, Meyers!

Oh man, I absolutely had to make these when I saw them on Pinterest. My original intention was to make them at a sewing camp. That became a negatory. If you want a giant snake, make it out of paper and staple the rings! Hand sewing these cuties was a good way to listen to podcasts, but wouldn't be an easy task for little hands.

A spare recliner in the front room? Weird location, but a good seat nonetheless!

For a YW's talent show I convinced Macey to play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star on as many instruments as she could. So she did the piano, french horn, recorder, harmonica and trumpet (a new one just for this activity!). Since then she has been learning to play the trumpet during her band aide (she helps the 6th grade trumpet class). Owning 3 trumpets has its upsides! (OK, we own 2 trumpets and Alex owns one.)

Halloween is my favorite! I love sending Halloween boxes to Dan's nieces and nephews. I don't remember birthdays, Christmas is so hectic (and expensive already), but Halloween is in that sweet spot where I have time and spare cash to splurge on nonsense items! And, who doesn't love getting a random package in October??

Day 1 of trumpet practice!

8th Grade band night and Homecoming! 

I chaperoned and MJ rode on the bus with the band to the game.

Shadow shinanigans!

The 8th graders don't bring their instruments, they just hangout and eat candy with the band.

These 3 are the 8th grade french horns in Wester's Wind Ensemble. They are constantly fighting over first chair. Macey is in 2nd this go around!

Next year, we'll all be together in the band. I'm Ryan can't wait. Ha!