My Sincerest Apologies

For all those who are addicted to my blog and have been dying for a new post, here it is. I am sorry for the delay. These past few weeks have been very busy with important things every afternoon and evening. It will all slow down in two weeks (I keep telling myself). To start off, we got our family portraits taken by Jen when she came out to do Morgan's senior pictures. I got them ordered and hung on the wall!! I took the picture at this angle hoping Jen could see the metallic finish on the pictures. We went with that finish because we were at the rail yard. We are so happy with how they turned out!!Maddie was inducted/abducted into the National Junior Honor Society of Green Cove Springs Junior High School. She was rather proud of this accomplishment and they had a very nice ceremony with candles and all that stuff!! Here she is, a proud member of the NJHS. Next was Morgan's senior awards. This is a very nice evening other than the fact that we don't have an auditorium and it was about 85 degrees in the cafeteria. The administration does a nice job to make it a special deal for these kids. Each senior (receiving an award) has a slide with their picture, a list of their accomplishments, and (if known) where they are going to school. Morgan's slide states that she received the Principal's Scholar Award (3.75 GPA), the Eagle Pride Award, and AP Scholar Award. It also lists that she is attending Brigham Young University. She is pictured here with Mr. Ward, our principal. The next evening was Morgan's Band Banquet. That was a fun night, sprinkled with a few tears. As you know, band has been Morgan's home at high school. She has loved it with all her heart. She has looked forward to her senior banquet for 4 years, anticipating her 4-year plaque. She was also awarded one of 3 "Best Attitude" awards which was a great honor. It was so nice for her instructors to recognize Morgan's love for the organization. Morgan is so thrilled that her marching band experience is not ending, just progressing, as she was accepted into the Power of the Wasatch, BYU's marching band. We already have our plane tickets to go out for homecoming!! This past week was my senior barbecue. Four years ago, I asked my department head if I could have a little barbecue for my seniors to celebrate their accomplishments. Most of them don't receive the senior awards at the fancy ceremony; however they have put forth great effort to get to the finish line. So the senior barbecue was born. Over the past 4 years it has grown tremendously. WalMart donates time and food. The local corporate people come with with all the food and drinks AND they grill it and serve it. This year, Golden Corral also donated macaroni and cheese, cookies, and cupcakes. And let's not forget my dear Travis who takes a day off and makes funnel cakes for the kids. Last year, one of my students wanted to play flag football every week. I finally told him that we might be able to play a game at the barbecue. I was a bit nervous about flag football, though, and suggested kickball. The administration said ok, and the kickball game was held. As I said, this whole thing has continued to grow each year and this year, it was no different. The kickball game grew to having 4 teams with an actual playoff. we have a 10th grader who is a little league umpire and he dressed up to call the games. We had team colors and decorated tshirts. We have a 1st place and 2nd place trophy. It was, as expected, the best day of the year. The kids ask about it weekly and were so excited for the big day. This year, Morgan was a senior and she was allowed to play in the game. I like this action shot of her. The ball is hovering in the air, Morgan is running, and the infield is running for the ball.When the day was over, my team was victorious and I now have the trophy in my room for a 2nd year!! This is the group picture. It was in the high 90's, but the game went on! Right after kickball was Morgan's last violin lesson. She has been playing for 15 years and has had Kyle as her teacher for 11 of those years. He was just home from college when we started with him. He went to school at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. We moved from Cincinnati the same week he came back home. At our first lesson, Morgan wasn't so sure about him until he mentioned having gone to King's Island (amusement park) the weekend before he came home, which turned out to be the same day we had been at King's Island. She was sold!! I kept my emotions in check until we got in the car and Morgan mentioned getting choked up playing one of their favorites, "Ashokan Farewell". Then I cried. Kyle has been much, much more than a violin teacher. Then there was Maddie's band concert. They played many recognizable songs and Maddie was so excited for this evening. The bands are small. Band doesn't begin until 7th grade here. I feel that and earlier start brings in more interest, and by 7th grade many are lost. The kids have to take so many other classes, too, that there just isn't time for band. But these kids worked hard to learn the instruments this year and did a great job. Both the 7th and 8th grade bands combined to play 4 songs at the end of the concert. Maddie said those were the hardest songs. She agreed that playing hard songs makes one a better. If you are having trouble locating Maddie, she is the 2nd trumpeter from the left. We discussed how good these kids become very quickly once they reach high school.

These are Maddie's good band friends, Kelly and Taylor.And last, but not least, we have a new kitten, Patrick. Here is Licky and Patrick. Patrick is interested in Licky. However, if this picture had sound, it would be a low rumble. Patrick is a very fun little kitten with very sharp claws.

This next week brings Rozzie's freshman awards - it isn't fancy like the senior awards, but she is receiving something anyway. I have been suffering from a cold. I haven't been sick in ages and this is not fun. My ears feel like there are balloons inside them. I have even taken to using a neti pot and it really helps!! I never thought I'd be able to do it, but I didn't drown myself. Maddie was even brave enough to try it. Friday night is the big night. Stay tuned!