Rambilee and Light Show

For years and years, the girls have been invited to join the high school band for a color guard camp that they call a Rambilee. It's for grades 1-6 to go join the high school and learn a show that they will perform at halftime.  We'd never participated, but now that Emily is in the guard, she was excited to have her sisters in her group!

But first, Emily had to video her flag work for Color guard, and I was on the music and video, and accidentally took a photo instead of starting the video, but I don't mind having one more picture of Emily to include here. = )

Back to the clinic.  Gracea and Juliet wanted to match Emily as best they could. 

With only four home football games, they really do a good job of squeezing everything in, and William was there with us, because the Jr High Band plays with the high schoolers for the light show!  

Stretching.

Baton work.

Flag work.

Going to the field to practice with the whole band, and the Jr High band.

I loved that this flower had the white spray growing behind it, and looked like a natural bouquet!

William waiting to go on the field.

They were waiting for the second whistle to go on the field!

Then, on Friday night, it was time to perform!  My favorite color guard member!!!

Getting ready to march onto the field.

Lots of waiting.

The band finally arrived!

With the Jr High band in tow!

Practicing before halftime.

Emily in her light show suit.

Grace wanted her glow stick in her hair.

It was a neat set up.  Since the high school band plays the fight song, then both school songs, then has to go get ready for the light show, the Jr. High band sits in the stands and plays the fight song when the football team scores!  Sadly, this was a shut-out game, not in our favor, and the Jr. High never had to play the fight song. = (

The band performs their show, then the Jr. High joins them on the field to play a special show, while the Rambilee students do their baton and flag work.  It's really sweet, and I'm so glad that four of my dear ones shared a field!  Alice and Billy did come to the game to cheer on the younger ones.

It was an excellent show, and I'm so proud of all my dear ones!  Already looking forward to next year.

later days

edit 10-26-25: backdated for continuity.

Band Concerts

At almost the end of marching band season* Alice's band played all of their marching songs, one more time, in the auditorium.  It kind of doubled as a senior recognition and awards night.  Their songs had the twins dancing in their seats, but it was loud!!!

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Alice and I had a couple of exchanges when trying to decide what she should bring to the Christmas concert reception.  She wanted to bring some edible 'coal' but as we needed half the ingredients and a new kitchen tool to make it, she settled on St. Lucia cakes.  The day of, she didn't feel like making them though. = (

We had all of the ingredients on hand, but I did not use enough spray on my first batch, and it took me so long to clean out the tiny little cake molds by hand!  On subsequent batches I used plenty of spray, and they slid right out, allowing for a much faster turn around time.  I had to fend of my family, but made around 120 to share.

There were sooooooo many treats at the reception, we ended up bringing home at least half of them, but our family made quick work of them, and they were gone by the following evening.

The morning snow made things quite slippery, so school was out for all five of them, but the concert was still on.  It was a slow drive there, in the dark, but the roads were manageable.

William spent his day completing missing math assignments, but finished his last page before we came home!  

The twins brought some fun things to do while waiting.

Alice made a cute little Santa hat for her clarinet.  

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Emily and William's concert was delayed a week, and occurred on a terrible night for driving.  There was a light rain coming down, and then the temperature dropped below freezing, and the roads were slick and icy.  We saw a van that had slid off of the interstate, so I was going slooooooooooooow.

Once we got there, I called Billy and told him not to come, because it wasn't worth the risk.

The 7th/8th grade band is about half the size of the beginning band this year!  

I sat where we did last year, which was a mistake, because William is in the beginning band, and was way across the gym. = (

Taking some picture of Emily with her friends. = )

But when it was time for my pictures they were both so tired. lame.

Super proud of all three of my band members!!!

And since Alice didn't come this year, there were no after concert snacks. = (

later days

*excepting Silver Bells, which happened the Friday before Thanksgiving.