Our First Band Concert

Last spring my Lutheran Stud began teaching our oldest how to read music and play the trumpet. As a side note, I have no musical ability whatsoever. I can't even read music. This means that I don't hear music the way most musicians do, clearly!

Being able to play the trumpet was a great accomplishment for Rebecca, but she never had the opportunity to play in a band with other people, so we enrolled her in band class at the local middle school. She currently rides her bike to school and has class for an hour and then rides home. We haven't decided what she'll do if it snows yet. School doesn't necessarily get canceled because of a little snow. Anyway, last week we attended her very first band concert and I couldn't be more proud! I didn't have high expectations since this was her first concert and remember watching a lot of Funniest Home Videos of concerts or plays and they, no offense, were atrocious.

The band at this school was quite larger than I was expecting too. I'm not sure how many band students there are, but it was standing room only in the gym. My lens wasn't even wide enough to fit all the students in the photo.

Their band teacher is the bald guy in case you were wondering. He shares the same name as my husband, spelling and all, but that's not what the students call him. They call him Mr. C.B.

Now for the proud mom moment. Being the newbie to the Advanced Band class she sits in the second chair as a trumpet player out of 16 other trumpeters. Thankfully, she didn't begin band class until this year because it was slightly painful to listen to the beginning band class play Hot Cross Buns while the 7th graders couldn't wait for them to play Jingle Bells knowing that they were up next. :)Sorry! I know, I know. The 6th graders just started playing for the first time in August, so really, they did a pretty great job. :)

This piece is called Ancient Voices. It was fantastic!

Now, this piece, The Pinnacle, was their finale. It was my favorite and I have to say it blew me away, and I think it sounded better than the 8th grade class! For the record, the 8th graders actually said the 7th graders sounded the best. :) Okay, I'm done with my proud mom moment now. Enjoy the rest of your day.

Park Day!

Since getting my point-and-shoot camera I rarely carry my big, heavy SLR around anymore, but I had a portrait session coming up and decided to wipe off the dust and practice a little when we headed to the park.

We met up with friends old and new and had a blast!

The sun was a scorcher, but it didn't slow anyone down.

Next to the playground is a little grassy area and pond where the geese like to graze.

I asked Rachel to pose for me and she happily obliged

There were children everywhere. How do you keep track of them all?

The light was quite lovely under this pergola, so naturally, I asked for some models.My goal, at the park, was to come home with tired children. I'll tell you now that I succeeded after they ran around all afternoon. ;)

Just before we left the children found the stage area and decided to sing Father Abraham. It was such a hoot to watch. They sang and danced until they couldn't stop laughing.

A Teenager and Her Grandparents

When Yei and Grandpa come for a visit there's Lego building,

matching pajamas,

warm weather for

playing football,

lots of laughter,

and family photos.

We also added a teenager to our family. What? How did that happen?

Our new teenager surpassed me in height years ago, but currently stands at 5 feet 6 inches, which means I need to buy higher heels now. Lady Gaga send me your heels, please!

We had a small celebration at home and then it was off to dinner

at Cinzettis. We've come to enjoy this all-you-can-eat buffet that lets our children eat for free!

Dessert is addicting at this place, and

so is the laughter from all of these cuties! Happy birthday Rebecca and also to my mom who recently turned . . ?. . ;) Love you guys!!

Fire Safety

Being foster parents we are required to attend several training classes throughout the year. This particular class was about fire safety and the whole family was invited to attend because how jealous would our children be, knowing that we were climbing around in fire trucks and playing with water hoses without them?

We met Eli and he dressed up in his fireproof garb to show the children what he looks like in the event that a fire actually occurred and he had to enter a home searching for children.

Everyone got a chance to put out a fake fire with the water hoses.

I was waiting for one of the children to start spraying other children, but that never happened. I suppose they know better than I do. ;)

Real fires were lit, so we could practice using a massive fire extinguisher.

Of course exploring fire trucks and ambulances is always on the list of things the children want to do, don't you?

We also got to measure body temperatures with this neat tool.

In the event of a fire in the home and fireman can take this tool to search for people inside by detecting body temperatures in the home.

Fire safety is important in keeping your family and home safe. Be sure to practice fire drills and change the batteries in your smoke detectors!

Vacation Bible School

Genesis 1:1-31 describes how God created a perfect world in six days, including perfect weather. This became the theme of Vacation Bible School at Mt. Zion. The children made crafts, did science experiments, and played games that all had to do with water or the second day of creation.

Thomas's birthday came on the heels of vacation bible school. The kids had a fabulous week and a few days during that week I had 9 children asleep at the same time, in the afternoon.

This year Mt. Zion decided to try something new by adding science into the mix. The children studied the second day of creation which is all about water.

Water games were all the rage outside.

The children made rain sticks and rainbows in craft time.Rainbows were came in all different styles from paint to crepe paper.

Bible lessons were taught in a boat if you were in the right class.

Rebecca graduated from VBS and was a group leader for the week. She tended to the preschoolers.

Science experiments were tested during science time. Have you ever tried the pop and Mentos experiment?

There was a lot of glue and sequins used during VBS week. It was crazy fun! You can find more photos here.

The Fair

After attending the rodeo we found out that the next day was kids' day! 

We couldn't stay away from all of the fun, so we headed back to the fair the very next day. The children got a tour of a fire engine and each received a hat and coloring book.

  

David was my only daring child that wanted to climb the rock wall. It was pretty easy peasy for him. I almost asked if I could climb the wall too, but I didn't want to embarrass my children. 

This inflatable was hoot. The children try and stick these velcro thingys as far down the line as they possbily can. Meanwhile they are attached to a bungy that yanks them back. 

Obviously when you attend a county fair you've got to see animals. 

This cute little calf tried to eat our foster child's shorts. It was pretty funny.

For some reason my children wanted to bring the goat home with them. Um, no!

All of the children participated in a bean bag toss and won some cute little prizes.

I think every child got at least one bean bag in a hole, even the youngest. It was great fun to play at the fair and the now the little ones want to go back everyday. Why can't we do this everyday?