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

Teacher Appreciation Ideas

"A good education can change anyone, a good teacher can change everything."

                                                                                                            ~ Unknown

It's that time of year when we recognize the amazing people that not only teach our children but help to shape their minds and expand their knowledge throughout the years.  To date, my children have been blessed with some of the absolute BEST teachers, counselors and staff any parent could ask for! 

Teacher Appreciation Week isn't until May, but as I am working on ideas for this year ~ I thought I would share a few that I have done in the past.  These are from last year, where the classroom theme was a beach (you can imagine my disappointment... LOL!), so hence the tropical inspired gifts.

Palm Tree Candy Jar:

I found these adorable little glass jars at the Dollar Store.  I just loved the swirl design in the glass.  I filled them with each of their favorite kind of candy.  The palm tree topper is simply palm leaves cut out of cardstock.  These were hand drawn by my mom, but you could use a clip art design as your template.  The "coconuts" are Junior Mints.  We hot glued the leaves and the mints to the lid of the jar thus making them obviously not edible.  I thought they turned out so cute!

The cutest little palm tree you ever did see ... 

We receive a list from the PTO as to each teacher's favorites: candy, color, flower, etc.  So I try to use those as a guide when coming up with ideas.

Mini Care Package:

Last year, Miss B's teacher's favorite color is teal, so we made her this little care package of things to help brighten her day ~ nail polish, lip balm, gum, mints, etc (all in the appropriate color, of course).  The package is a McDonald's fry container... or at least the shape of one.  Working on projects can get quite taxing & one must always have a little snack to keep the creative energy flowing.  In this case, Mom & I chose a trip to McD's.  After eating the fries, of course, we careful peeled apart the container to use as a template.  Tracing around the template on teal cardstock, we were able to get the same shape and folds.  Glue it together and voila!

Miss B loved decorating it with stickers from my scrapbooking stash.

Lottery Ticket Goodie Bag:

I'm sure you've seen this idea floating around Pinterest.  I created the personalized tag in Word, then filled a clear party favor bag with a lottery ticket and gold coins found at the $1 bin at Target.  Tie on a "lucky" green bow and hope if they are big winners, they remember you were the one that gave it to them.  :)  

Sandpail Flower Pot:

This is one of my favorites!   Mom and I found the shovel and pails at the Dollar Tree.  Using lettering stencils I had and paint markers from Michaels, we traced and colored the phrase "I Totally DIG Mrs. B!"  We then filled them with dirt and flowering plants from the local greenhouse.  I just love how these turned out!!  The plants could be replanted, as they were annuals, and then the shovel and pail to build an amazing sandcastle on their next beach trip (or saved for decoration in the classroom) ...  :)


Thankful Hands:

Another Pinterest idea, we traced around Miss B's hands and then folded a piece of cardstock in half.  Cutting around the template of her hand being careful not to cut at the seam (just as you do when cutting out a snowflake),  it created one continuous set of hands.  We got mini bottles of lotion and hand sanitizer.  I recommend wrapping a rubber band around them to secure them together.  Then after writing the note and having her sign it, we wrapped them around the products and secured it with packing tape on the inside (attached to the products) as not to be seen.  Very cute!

Teachers are amazing, patient and extrodanary people!  Thank you to all of you who have chosen this profession.  You deserve to be appreciated and thanked each and every day!

"They may forget what you said but they will not forget how you made them feel"

                                                                                                            ~ Carl Buechner

XOXO

N

12 Days Until Winter Break

I have worked with our PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) at the elementary school for several years and it has always been such a joy for me.  Whether it's planning an event, reading with the kids, or simply making copies...I love every minute of it!  I have gotten to know so many of the kids as well as the teachers and staff throughout the years.  We are very blessed!  It is such a fabulous school filled with people that I not only trust to teach my children to read and write, but also create, explore and ask questions that will lead them down the path toward higher learning.  Our school's motto is "Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Safe".  I think that speaks volumes to the time and effort that the teachers and staff put into making our school the very best that it can be.  I couldn't be more proud to have called it "our home away from home" for the last 17 years.  It has been my honor to be a part of a special tradition that we do for the teachers and staff to show our appreciation for all they do year 'round especially those hectic days leading up to Winter Break.  :)

I realize this post is well past the holiday season, but in my defense...I didn't want to give any of the surprises away.  :)  So having said that, we start by counting back 12 days before the start of Winter Break.  Starting with Day 12, each day we count down til break with a small gift or treat in hopes to make the time go by just "a little bit" faster.  (If you've ever been in a classroom on the days leading up til Break, you know exactly what I mean.  LOL!)

Here's an idea of what we did this year...

Each morning we would set up their daily gift along with a catchy little poem to hopefully brighten their day.  So without further ado... The 12 Days of Winter Break 2016!  (I promise, no singing will be attempted during the remainder of this post.)

Day 12: A Set of Holiday Plates and Napkins

12 Days til Winter Break,

The party seasons here!

We hope you enjoy these daily gifts, 

That bring you Holiday Cheer!

Day 11: Pocket Size Package of Kleenex

11 Days til Winter Break,

Cold season in full bloom.

Here's a pack of Kleenex,

To help you in your room.

Day 10:  Bottle of Hand Sanitizer

10 Days til Winter Break

The weather's turned to freezin'

Some sanitizer for your hands

To keep you from a-sneezin'!

Day 9: OREOS in a Decorative Elf Shoe

9 Days til Winter Break,

It's the last day of the week.

We hope that you enjoy

This "Elfish" special treat!

Day 8:  A Package of Post-It Notes and Pen

8 Days til Winter Break,

Some sticky notes and a pen.

To help you with the holiday lists 

That never seem to end.  :)

Day 7:  Hot Cocoa Bar ~ We set up a station with hot water and cocoa packages along with many yummy treats for them to add to make the perfect cup of hot chocolate.  (marshmallows, PEPPERMINT marshmallows!, chocolate chips, candy canes, etc)  I apologize but I didn't think to take a picture of the set up.  But we used beautiful glass containers to display all the toppings and make it as fanciful as possible.  This coincidentally corresponds with our Winter Sing, where they are transporting our kids to the high school auditorium in the cold weather.  Warm Teachers = Happy Teachers :)

7 Days til Winter Break

Today's a special day!

The kids have been so hard at work

To sing in a merry way!

Day 6:  Bottle of Hand Lotion

6 Days til Winter Break,

The air is dry and cold.

Soft and smooth your hands will be

With this lotion made of gold.

Day 5: Hersey's Kisses in a Decorative Tree (idea and directions for a similar tree from Qbee's Quest blog)

5 Days til Winter Break

This special tree for you

Filled with yummy chocolates

That make even Santa say "Woo-hoo!"

Day 4: Code for a Redbox Movie Rental and Popcorn

4 Days til Winter Break,

The weekend is in sight.

A movie and some popcorn

Relax and enjoy the night!

Day 3: Small Bottle of Soda Decorated Like a Reindeer

3 Days til Winter Break,

8 Reindeer pull the sleigh.

We thought you might need a little drink

To help you through the day.

Day 2:  A Pair of Gloves

2 Days til Winter Break,

The weather's oh so bitter

These gloves should help to keep you

From freezing cold this winter!

Day 1: (A fan favorite!)  A Roll of Wrapping Paper, Tape and Gift Tags

Since November you've been shopping,

Barely sleeping, hardly stopping.

Now it's late, you're in a scrape,

Out of paper, out of tape.

Hope this wrap helps save the day.

Have a Happy Holiday!

As I said earlier, we are extremely blessed to have such a wonderful group of teachers and staff.  We hope these daily gifts leading up to Winter Break show them just how much we appreciate them and all they do.  

Love,

N