Chicago Midwest Clinic - Shadow Ridge Band

 

Joshua's middle school Shadow Ridge Honor Winds band was selected as one of three middle schools in the country to attend the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago.  They started rehearsals in the summer and spent many hours preparing.  They prepared 9 pieces that were technically very difficult and even  played one song that was composed especially for them.  The world premier of that song was in Chicago, the composer was in the audience.

 

This was a BIG DEAL!

 

The band program at LISD is excellent. In fact, Marcus High School in  Flower Mound was also chosen to attend. There have never been two schools from the same school district to attend the clinic in the 66 year history.  The level that Joshua's band played at was unbelievable...I think they were better than my high school band.

 

The band boarded two charter buses and also had an equipment truck that headed to Chicago on December 17.  They drove all night and arrived in Chicago the next afternoon.  The kids did all sorts of cool stuff while they were there: Sears Tower Sky Deck, Ginos Pizza, shopping on Michigan avenue, Art Museum, Field Museum of Natural history and the aquarium. They performed at the clinic, participated in a clinic session, saw the Blue Man Group and even went to the Chicago Symphony! 

 

It really was a trip of a lifetime. I think Joshua slept for 24 hours when he got home.

 

Steve and I flew in for a couple of days to see the performance and had a mini vacation in Chicago.

Boarding the buses at school

Joshua's group was on bus loading duty.

Scarves made for the kids

Chicago was beautiful all lit up for Christmas.

Coolest Walgreens ever!

 

The big Concert. Sound check.

 

Post concert congratulations. They were Awesome!

 

The trombone section were featured at the exhibition hall...Eastman found out they were all using Eastman trombones.

Conductor batons

Colorful trombones

We walked around the exhibits and saw all sorts of cool instruments and band gear.

Michigan Avenue shopping

Finishing off with drinks at the W. Steve and his martinis!!

 

It snowed after we left and it wasn't all that cold while we were there.  It was a really fun, quick trip.  We were so glad we were there to see the kids perform.  Most of the song composers were in the audience along with band people from all over the country (and world).  Shadow Ridge Middle School is definitely on the map now!

Summer Camp 2012- The Pines

Joshua and Thomas went to the Pines again this year. This was their 4th year to go and it just keeps getting better and better.  They were both in cabins this year, Thomas in Branch with the middle school kids and Joshua in Fire with the high school kids.  The Pines designates 8-11 as High School and the main difference is that they have a little bit more freedom.  They were both in cabins with their same age group though.

Thomas was in a cabin with his friend William Moss.  The cabins at the Pines are nothing special; they are old basic cabins with bunk beds. But this year they got a fresh coat of paint AND A/C. According to the boys, they were actually freezing at night.  Thomas's counselors were Wonka and Costanza. (camp nick names) Thomas finally had a Longhorn for a counselor this year which he loved...usually there are Aggies everywhere and no Longhorns!! His favorite things this time around were playing Ultimate Frisbee and Gaga. Favorite meal was scones for breakfast, and least favorite was the pretzel sandwich. Favorite all around memory was eating Spaghetti with his face (no hands allowed).  He also really enjoyed the speaker/comedian they had come talk to the campers named Chris Padgett.  He played the guitar and told really funny as well as spiritual stories.

Thomas Costanza (on left, the Longhorn) and wonka

Joshua shared a cabin with his friend John Ramsey (Williams brother) and also made lots of new friends.  His counselors were ModPodge and Frassati.  His favorite things this year were ropes,  zip line and Gaga. Favorite food was scones too (who knew??), and he didn't really have a least favorite food. He also really liked the night games they play like Capture the Flag.  Joshua also said he was the only one in his cabin who danced with girls (both counselors and some his age) at the Wednesday night dance. Way to go Joshua!

Josh and John Ramsey, at drop off.

Joshua on the last day with ModPodge and Frassati.

They were exhausted but couldn't stop talking about their week on the drive home. Another great year at the Pines!

Baseball Offseason

What is one to do when the summer baseball tournament season ends?

Why, build a pitching mound for the backyard, of course.

It helps if your grandpa is a master with wood and saws. They had fun "throwing sawdust"

Here is the mound, in the back yard. Thomas can practice pitching without having to leave..he doesn't even need a catcher.  He is still planning to add some turf and a rubber.

First pitch

Pitching lessons for Charles

Explaining a "balk"

Charles tries it out

Grip instruction.

Thanks Papa for helping Thomas. What a great new "toy"

Summer So Far...

We are midway through summer, and we haven't gone on any big vacations, but we have been busy.

  Here is our summer so far:

We have made cat toys

 And taken cat naps

We've been to celebrity baseball games where Dirk, Charles Barkley and Thomas's coach Jason played

And we've been to Rangers games with friends.

We've done a lot of swimming, and even had some rainy days. A basketball hoop for the pool has been a well loved new purchase in this house full of boys.

We made smores one night in the back

Wendy and Charles have wine, chips and guac on the patio a LOT.

Which can lead to dancing if a good song comes on.

We went to the Arboretum for an outdoor concert and to view some beautiful art. Chihully glass sculptures. It was gorgeous and fun and VERY hot.

Friends have been over to play and swim

And we even watched the cement truck pour the neighbors new walkway

 All the kids added hand prints...which were later covered by stone.

And we celebrated Grammy's 70th birthday on a big Catamaran on the lake

Cousin Zachary was here for that party, so we got some quality time hanging out with him.

We had a girls night out painting, which was tons of fun

 And did I mention baseball? There has been LOTS of baseball. The Rattlers have played in 5 tournaments, with the last game of the World Series tomorrow.  The boys have had very few scheduled activities this summer, and lots of down time during the day while I work (ie. boredom) which is what summer is all about!

The second half of the summer will be the Pines camp and a beach vacation and a little bit of relaxing.