Wordful Wednesday - All County

Last Saturday morning we took Ian to try out for All County Band.

He was SO nervous...

We knew he would most likely not make it, but that was ok.  Erie County Band is very competitive.  It is a great experience.  If he wants to keep doing it he knows what to expect next time.  We waited for his results and he received a 97 96. (oops I was wrong)

Edited to add-  While Ian did fantastic, he did not make it.  :)

For more WW check out 5 Minutes for Mom, Seven Clown Circus  Parenting by Dummies, Project Alicia, The InfoMouse , Focused on the Magic & Fresh Mommy.

Tuba Christmas

This is the last year with Ian's music instructor and he wanted me to make her a special ornament for Christmas.  How could I say no?  She is a lovely woman and pretty much the reason my son LOVES to play. 

"Have a Very Merry Tuba Christmas" 

Let me explain the Tuba Christmas thing...

Last year I read an article posted on the Disney Blog about how Tuba Christmas was coming to Disneyland.  I had never heard of such a thing.  I showed the article to Ian and then looked further into it and sure enough they have one here in Buffalo every year, too.  Ian said that someday he would like to play in it.  When he heard about it told everyone about Tuba Christmas.  Now his nickname in band is Tuba Christmas.  ;)

Christmas Concert

Ian's Christmas concert was Wed night. 

The kids have grown so much in a year!  Here are photos from last year concert. 

This is Ian's band teacher.  LOVE this woman.  She has been awesome over the last 3 years.  We will truly miss her next year when Ian goes to the middle school.

 Practicing before the concert.

There are 3 tuba players this year in the band. 

So proud of my little (ok, not so little anymore) tuba player.

Christmas Tree 2012

With our new furniture and the fact we have a tiny house, we had to re-think where our Christmas tree would go this year. Usually it goes in the front window.  Jeff was skeptical that it would fit in the corner where I wanted to put it. Silly man, one day he will stop doubting my packing ability.

YAY!  It fit!  Lily was so excited to see the tree up when she came home from school. The kids put all of their ornaments on it and then Lily added a bunch of mine.

Oh and yes, your eyes are not deceiving you....I have a huge tuba case in my living room.  ;)

Then Lily & I added the snowflakes my mom made me.  She crocheted me 101 different snowflakes.  Lily wanted to add all of them and we did. 

I just noticed my angel is a bit crooked...oops, I will have to fix her.  My mom made me my angel as a bridal shower present.  My mom is one talented crafty lady. 

I usually put up my snowman houses and scene on my entertainment center, but decided against it this year.  I opted to add a couple winter pieces instead along with my winter terrarium.

 I also always put up my mini tree.  (Mom, this is my new cabinet.) 

I had a smaller cabinet there before and I was looking for something a bit taller and with lots of drawers (that didn't look like a filing cabinet).  When I saw this at Hobby Lobby I knew it was perfect.  I love love love all the drawers!!  I store Lily's hairbows in a couple drawers.  Better yet, Jeff stopped putting his 'junk' on top of my entertainment cabinet...he has his own drawer and he uses it!!

Ok, back to my tree....
My mini tree is full of mini Disney Hallmark ornaments I have collected over the years.  (I have not seen any new mini ones in a few years) along with a mini Disney train that I also bought at Hallmark eons ago.  (The angel on top is also an ornament my mother made.)

Have you put up your tree yet?

Big Band

Today is another concert.  Ian is performing at Martin's Fantasy Island today with band and chorus.

On Thursday he had Cadet Band practice.  I was paparazzi mom....

No mistaking where my kid is in the crowd.  He is the one with the HUGE instrument. 

I can not wait to see them march in the parade.

Sunday Citar - Jazz

All music is beautiful. ~ Billy Strayhorn

On Friday night, Ian took part in the 19th West Seneca District Band Music Festival as the only Tuba player in the whole festival.  He was also one of the only two 5th grade students that were asked to play with in the festival for his school.  He got to play with the Trombonist, James Burton III.

We could not have been prouder.  :D

Ian has decided he wants to join Cadet Band.  Because Cadet Band is a marching band, Ian can not play his tuba.  Instead he is playing a Sousaphone (it's just like a tuba, but wraps around your body).  Last Thursday, Ian tried out the Sousaphone for the 1st time....it's huge!  No mistaking where he is when looking at the group of kids, LOL. Thankfully we can leave it at the high school. I don't think I could figure out where to put a Tuba and a Sousaphone in this tiny house. O_o 

So to keep score, this year Ian is in the regular band, regular jazz band, district band, district jazz band & cadet band.  He is enjoying every minute of it & his teacher is awesome!!  Keep up the good work sweetie!  (And yes, I need to buy him new pants....he grew like a weed over the last few months.  I did buy him new shoes, though.)
 
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