Mother's Day

For Mother's Day I got some fun things home from Rebekah's class. "Thanks for teaching me music stuff." Nice. 

 

This one was fun too. I pointed out I was drawn taller than her and she said it was Mother's Day, so....

Mom went to church with us so I figured a 3 generation - dressed up photo was in order. 

We had my mom and Don's mom this year. I bought my mom a pj shirt to wear. 

And Don's mom a diamond painting kit. A very extensive diamond painting kit. 

Don got me some creme filled cupcakes. 

We had dinner: pulled pork sandwiches with slaw and corn. 

Then Don went to nap. While we waited I got a picture with the moms. 

Fun having both moms here to celebrate the day. 

Uncle JoJo and Grandma Visit

Sometime early in the year my mother told me she was coming to visit and she was bringing my brother. To say I was excited would be quite the understatement. And then I had to wait. And wait. And wait. Until finally it was the day! I knew they were getting up early and it's somewhat stressful traveling with mom so I didn't text or call that day. I showed my great faith by showing up at the airport hoping their plane would be on time, and it was. 

I was still having back troubles so Rebekah prepared the upstairs for my brother, complete with a welcome sign. 

Finally they were here. Yay! 

My brother had a birthday coming up but I couldn't wait so I gave him his gift early. More on that to come. 

We went all went to my doctor appointment the next day and afterwards stopped at a restaurant. 

We kept busy while they were out. We went to Rebekah's band concert and afterwards celebrated with snow cones. 

Which we then ate at the park. 

We wandered and explored the falls. 

I forced selfies. 

We took walks in the park. Rebekah found old train tunnels. 

More selfies: 

And more Rebekah, because why not?

We celebrated Jo's birthday. 

I gathered 50 words to describe Jo, then added them to this card. 

And Jo read every one. 

Remember the gift I got him? Well, he actually wore it. 

Coolest brother ever. 

Sadly, it was time for Jo to fly home. But not without one more picture. And yes, I may have cried. 

Mom and I basically chilled the rest of her visit. Except she talked me into planting the garden. I was going to skip it this year because of my back but we got an easy small garden plan and put it in. 

And then she was gone too. All I had left was yummy leftovers: real mozzarella with tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil, and a balsamic reduction.  I eat so well when mom's around. 

The Holton

As alluded to in the last post, I asked several times about the possibility of renting a horn over the summer and was repeatedly told no. Eventually I reached out to my former teaching buddies, Jenni, who has a husband who is a horn player. He suggested brand names with model numbers. His brand of choice? Holton. Apparently there's a lack of Holtons in Indiana. We discussed going through different stores, even buying online. Then my teaching buddy sent me a link off of eBay for a new Holton being sold for a lot less then usual price. It was from a music store in Kansas. Apparently they used the horn as a demo model in the store and were upgrading their models. I joked with Jenni; the first thing she told me to tell my students was to not buy their instruments on eBay, and here we were. She came back with all the reasons why this was different. 

Eventually I reached out to the store directly. I couldn't feel comfortable buying it directly on eBay: so much money over the internet to someone I've never met for something I've never seen. After talking to the store associate extensively I sealed the deal.  

A few days later: 

She was very happy. And if we're ever in Kansas in the next 2 years they'll tune it up for free! 

End of the Year Band Concert

We needed one last picture of The Bee with the horn. She was quite sad to give it up. I had asked the band teacher several times about renting it over the summer and was told no. Then I asked about renting it until the middle school students turned their instruments in and was told no. So, one more picture was all we got. 

The horns walking in.

 

I took one of the saxophone section as well. It was so fun working with them. 

The entire band. 

Programs are very fancy and all digital now days. 

Because I taught the saxophone section, I even got my name in there. Well, sort of....

Part of the first number:

They recognized each section, then chose an MVP - most valuable player. I struggled choosing through my saxophones for they were all such amazing kids who showed such hard work and improvement. In the end I chose a tenor saxophone who for the most part was a solo player and yet was always prepared. 

The horn section. It started with 7 and ended with 4 - lost the 3 other girls which made Rebekah the last girl standing. 

She was voted MVP. 

The final number:

Then, picture time. 

Oh yes, and mom was here. 

And JoJo too! More on them to come! 

Sure love my MVD - most valuable daughter! 

The Beginning of the End of Elementary

I got an email from the school asking for a picture of Rebekah that included her personality and / or her interests. So I took a bunch and let Rebekah choose. And by a bunch, I mean a bunch. There are multiples. Indeed a plethora of Rebekah pictures. What follows are some of my favorites: 

Soccer

STEM - robotics

Horn, STEM, & Soccer

In the end we all decided on this one:

They put it in a slide show for the 6th grade party. When I asked Rebekah if she was okay with the slide show picture she mentioned she didn't really pay attention. At that point, since she was scrolling on the phone, I told her I used a picture with her sleeping snuggling her blanket. Her exact words were, "...what the what...?!" 

She came home from the party with a 6th grade class picture: 

In case you're wondering where Rebekah is located: 

The next big event was field day with all the 6th graders. She sent home the following photos of her and some of her friends: 

6th grade basketball team

A parent sent this one.

And also this one: 

There was also the color run which she participated in because she read 40 books. I think. I'll ask her and change this if needed.