Band Camp - Emily's Freshman Year

After a summer of two color guard practices a week, Emily finally got to march in the full band camp!

Sniff, sniff!

I dropped her off for band camp one morning, with the promise that Avia would pick her up, because Billy and I were off to Poland!  So, this is my final band camp picture, but she sure does look cute!

She loved band camp, and loves color guard, and loves marching band.  She's been doing 'freshman' things all summer, so she has very few first day jitters.  Now, if her schedule could reflect all of her chosen classes, she'd be ready to go!

Back to school in 3 days!

later days

edit 8-17-25: backdated for continuity.

Alice Spring Band Concert

The night following her awards night, Alice played her spring concert.  Sadly, it was her final concert, as she will no longer be a part of the band. = (

After the concert, Alice and Grace were the only two who stayed for the awards.  Grace had time to decorate the table with her candy.

She did win an award because her band earned a I in the equivalent of UIL rankings.

Night two of her wardrobe standing out.  She sported a very "vintage" smocked dress.  At least she didn't have duct taped shoes.

I'm super sad that Alice will not be in band next year, but she is not, and has grand plans!  Emily will be in band, so at least it's not an absence for yours truly.

A smile at the end of a long night was a win, and next year Alice will do other great things, even when not in band.

later days

edit 6-6-25: backdated for continuity.

Band: Senior Night

I signed up as a volunteer, while the weather was still warm, because once it gets cold I hibernate, in as much is possible.  It just happend to be senior night!

While not completely sure, I think Alice was happy to have me there.  

Up here, bands don't travel with their teams (at least in our area) so the home band plays the opposing school's fight song, then their own.  I'm guessing, that's how this band does it anyhow, I've not been to an away game.

Alice had me braid her hair, but it turns out that she is supposed to have it up.  I had no hair ties or brushes or anything, so this mess is what she ended up with, to meet the uniform dress code.

Senior night is really neat for the band.  They play one song from this year's show.  Then, the sophomores, juniors and seniors come together in a semicircle, where they play one sone from last year.  After that song, the sophomores go back to their position in the last set.  Then, the juniors and seniors play a song from two years ago, then return to their set.  Finally, only the seniors remain and play a song from their freshman year, before returning to their set.  It's super emotional, and I only have a freshman!

Senior parents are also honored, by the band boosters, with a yellow rose, which is another heartstring pull that I can most definitely wait for.

I'm glad that I got to go, though my Alice is making noises about not doing band next year. = (  We told her she has to be in a 'performance' club of some sort, be it band, swimming, robotics, theater, debate, or any other group that meets regularly enough to compete or perform.

The weather has been fair enough that I might volunteer one more time this year, especially since Emily is chomping at the bit to join the color guard next year!

later days

edit 9-30-24: backdated for continuity. 

Alice's 15th Birthday!

I can't believe that my little, tiny, baby Alice is 15!  She had a busy summer with diving school and band camp and the day before she started her freshman year, she turned 15!

So, this "last night as a 14 year old" picture was also "the night before freshman year" picture!

All four of her siblings had school on her birthday, so we ate the cake, but she waited until after they got home to open her gifts. = )

Billy also wanted to start a new tradition of the birthday child getting a one on two meal with us each year, so we started with Alice.  She picked Texas Roadhouse, which I thought was a very good choice. = )

I was worried about all of the high school things for Alice, but she seems to be thriving and enjoying her new school!  Here's to a wonderful year for my newly minted 15 year old, freshman, first born!  I sure do love her!

later days

you can see her party pictures here!

edit 9-9-2024: backdated for continuity. 

Band

At the end of July, Alice had band camp. The week before, they had pre-band camp, which was only 2 half days.  But up here band camp starts on Sunday evening, and goes through the following Friday.  Monday through Friday the days are 12 hours long, but they do have a bit of fun. 

We read the list, but each day I felt like Alice brought along something else.

For the senior day, they did 'Christmas in July.'  They wrapped anything that could be wrapped, put up Christmas trees and Christmas lights everywhere, made a giant Christmas tree out of band chairs and stands, and had Christmas music playing on several speakers.

By the last day, Alice was in the groove and was totally ready for the parent/family exhibition!

We didn't arrive nearly as early as I would have hoped, I'm not sure what we were doing ahead of time, it's been too long now.  Emily was there, but I don't have a picture of her (?), and Billy had to meet us there during her lunch break.

Alice was at quite the disadvantage, since they were given music at freshmen camp*.  So, she didn't get her music until full band camp started.  She's been practicing since then, but obviously didn't yet have it memorized.

She still looked good marching with her band, and considering she is being 'forced' to participate, has had the best of attitudes about it! 

Can't wait until next year when two of my babies are out there!

later days

*Sadly, that date wasn't on my calendar, because the director puts it on the previous years' calendar.  So, next year, I already know what to expect for Emily!

edit 9-9-24: backdated for continuity.