L's Passion for Music & the Phantom of the Opera

If I were to use one quote to describe L right now, it's this ~ "Music is not what I do, It's who I am."  ~ Unknown

If you follow me on Instagram, you've seen that the better part of our lives since before school started have been spent watching this young man play in band.  He started the tuba in 5th grade and has never looked back.  It was then in Middle School that he also discovered his love of singing and hence began his chorus and show choir career.  To say that music is his passion, would be putting it mildly ~ the smile on his face as he performs speaks volumes.  :)

Sophomore year is the first year that students here actually compete in Marching Band... learning the music as well as the constantly changing formations to create a visual masterpiece.  Having played the clarinet myself, I understand this is no easy task.  But I also remember how much fun I had while doing it.  L has not only embraced this with hard work and enthusiasm but has made some AMAZING friends in the process.  We couldn't be more proud!

Competition season is in full swing, so there have been some long days and late nights... and each week they improve more & more!!  We are lucky to be able to tag along to these events and help set up the props and equipment used to create their "Phantom of the Opera" inspired show.  In fact, we are actually one of the drivers that pull the trailer carrying the uniforms, percussion instruments and of course, the tubas.  (No pressure there ~ and ... I'd be remiss if I didn't admit that Honey actually drives, I just ride along.  Gotta give credit where credit is due!  There is no way I could drive pulling that trailer!!  Yikes!!  But he's a master at it.)

Miss B has even become part of the crew as well.  Helping behind the scenes by carrying props or standing behind/ holding these 12 foot screens that create a gorgeous backdrop showcasing pictures from the beloved musical.  Having just started learning the clarinet herself, she is truly enjoying getting a sneak peek of what's to come as well as supporting her brother.  

Have to be quiet during the performance... shhh!

There are 3 tubas in our Marching Band: One sophomore, one junior and one senior.  They are a great group and work so well together!  They may be small in size but mighty in sound!

I love the little dance that they do during the drum cadence.  I wish I had video!!!  They twist, they twirl, they jump, they kick and even do push-ups using the tubas.  It's AWESOME!!

Once we arrive at the competition site, the kids must get dressed, get their instruments ready and be on the practice field to warm up in a short amount of time.  This past weekend, as we unloaded L's tuba we noticed the name on the case.  :)  Apparently, his tuba was previously used by a Professional Wrestler.  LOL!

He's very serious while getting prepared.... which translated to "Don't take my picture now, Mom."  

So I had to get sneaky & use my zoom lens as to not get caught.  Haha!!

The show consists of the songs Phantom of the Opera, Masquerade, and Music of the Night.  It also includes some pretty cool special effects and ends with a gigantic flag of the Phantom Mask that flies over and completely encompasses the band.  (Ask L about how easy it is to kneel down to the ground while still wrapped up in his tuba!)

Like I said at the beginning of this post, this young man was born for music.  Whether it's band or choir, he is definitely in his happy place.  It's a part of who he is & we couldn't be more proud.  Honey and I cannot wait to see where this path takes him.  But for now, he will continue to be our favorite Phantom Tuba player! (with some super cool dance moves!)  :)

XOXO
N

First Day of School ~ 2018

It's hard to believe our summer has already come and gone.  We had a great one, filled with so many memories that I'd be lying if I didn't say that yesterday was hard on all of us.  (Alarm clocks again, really !?!)  But on to a new school year with lots of exciting things happening!   

A Sophomore!?!  Can I say it again?  A sophomore!  L is entering his second year in high school.  Some people say that it gets easier with each child, but not for me.  It still seems like yesterday was his first day of Kindergarten.  Never mind that he has now officially surpassed me in height, but he's also embracing that baritone voice that makes me have to finally admit that my baby is growing up.  He's looking forward to a great year filled with Marching Band, Choir, Show Choir, ACT testing and so much more.  (The color coded calendar is definitely in effect already!)  I can't wait to see what all that he accomplishes this year!  This guy never ceases to amaze me.

The obligatory 1st Day of School pictures are always his favorite .... NOT!  This is the "Hurry up and get these done, Mom" look.

Are we done yet?  Cause, I'm not even really looking at the camera anymore.....

Can you see the resemblance?  Hmmm .... maybe just a little bit.  :)

Last one L.  Just because I love you.  :)

Miss B started 5th grade this year... her VERY LAST year in elementary school!  Which also means it's our last year there as well.  When she walks out those doors next June, it will mark almost 20 years that we have called it a second home for our kids.  I don't know who is going to have a harder time with it ~ her or me?!?   She has yet another amazing teacher this year so we are looking forward to going out with a bang.  :)  (Excuse me as I wipe away a few tears...)

She too has grown up over the summer... just a little bit.  :)

Have I also mentioned that she has discovered fashion over the summer... (Thank you YouTube...)  Daddy's in trouble now.  :)

I don't think he minds too much ... yet.  She's still his little Princess.  

Love Love Love this one...

Me and my girl ...

Love you to the Moon and Back!

I hope all of you that have started school already are off to a great start as well!  It's going to be a great year!!


XOXO
N

For the Love of the Cards & My Dad

I realize the 2017 baseball season is coming to an end, but I've been saving this post for just the right time.  As the one year anniversary of my dad's passing is days away, it seemed only fitting to share it now.  This past September would have been his 64th birthday, and as I have mentioned before ~ my dad was a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan.  So my mom thought it would be a great way to honor him by having our entire family attend a game.  

My beautiful Mom and her kids ~ one who was very thankful that she didn't have to stand on a step ladder or ledge this time.  :)

And with the grandkids, of course...

One of Dad's favorite things was to attend games where there were special items given out before the game ~ especially bobble heads.  This particular game was free Build-a-Bear Day, so each of the kids got a special dog to treasure.  

Growing up, each of our summer vacations always had to include a few things: an amusement park of some kind, a zoo and a baseball game.   My brother T was a huge baseball fan.  He collected pennants from every game we ever went to.  Eventually they became the decorative border around his room.  So of course, we had visited Busch Stadium before but it has been some time.  I will admit it's quite impressive!

And it had a spectacular view of the St Louis Arch!

Because we arrived early to make sure that the kids received a Build-a-Bear (as Dad always did for his beloved bobble heads aka as soon as the gates open), Mom took us across the street from the stadium to visit Cardinal Nation.  Due to Dad's need to get to most of the games early, my parents would often spend time here having a drink or sharing a meal before the game.  It's housed in the center of Ballpark Village and is home to several restaurants, bars and memorabilia.  A great place for any Cardinal fan to hang out.

Now before I go any further, I have to say that while my dad was a Cardinal fan ... I am not.  I am a Cubs fan!  We would always have friendly banter back and forth about the Cubs vs the Cards.  Usually, it didn't matter as the Cards were always better ... until last year of course.  In fact, that is ironically what the very last text I received from my dad was about.  The Cubs had just won the National League, so I sent him a screenshot of the Championship Banner.  All in good fun, only to receive the following message "Humm ...That is NOT a World Series Banner.  Good Luck."  :)  It wasn't long after that I felt compelled to send a text to his phone (knowing he would still get it in heaven) with a screenshot of the the Cubs World Series Championship Banner with the words "Now THAT IS a World Series Banner!  Love You."  So after hearing all of that, you can imagine my dilemma when my Mom suggested this idea in the first place.  Of course I wanted to honor Dad ... but did it have to be at a Cardinals game wearing a Cardinals shirt, no less!?!  Well obviously I made the sacrifice, as did my sister's boyfriend T who is a Royals fan.  The things we do for the love of another...  :)   However, I couldn't very well go into Cardinal territory without any protective gear on, so to speak.  It was my little way of saying, "Yeah Dad, I'm here.  But I came prepared."  

I will admit it was a good game.  But even more fun to just all be together.

Of course, no baseball game is complete without snacks.  Yes, we had popcorn, hot dogs, nachos and Cracker Jacks.  But the highlight was this helmet full of at least 50+ donuts (my nephew P's favorite thing in the whole world!)  You could have it just plain or add various toppings to it.  P & C were the brave ones to try this monstrosity.  Talk about sugar overload!  (FYI, neither finished it.  Thankfully... LOL!)

Midway through the game, my sister told us all to watch one of the signs ... confused we kept a close eye out not sure what to expect until to our surprise... a special message appeared wishing Dad a Happy Birthday!  There were no words ....

The Cardinals won!  Which meant fireworks, that I have to admit was pretty cool...

Then the kids got to have some fun!  After the field was cleared, they allowed the kids down to run around the bases with the Mascot, Fredbird.  L opted out, but Miss B & P ran like they has just hit the winning home run!

All in all it was a great day, even for this Cubs fan.  We all got to spend a day together honoring a man whom we love, in a way we know would have made him happy.  Especially since they won.  :)  Now, Mom is not one to let special occasions go without some unique way to commemorate it.  So as we were all standing about to say our goodbyes and hit the road.  She handed us all ornaments that she had made along with one of our favorite pictures of Dad.  My mom is one extraordinary lady!!  

I'm so glad that we all got to do this.  I know Dad was there with us, cheering on his Cardinals enjoying his time with the whole family.  Now while I might not be a fan of his team, I sure am a fan of him.  So even though their season is done, I will say this, once & only once, just for you Dad ~ Go Cards!!

XOXO

N