I survived the 1st week of school...

and that was no small feat, as I drove band carpool! We had to leave home at 6:10 AM!!! to pick up the other riders. Then had to get everyone to HS to dump backpacks, etc. in the band hall before 6:30. Then I had to drive them all to the football stadium to practice!

Seems VERY incompetent people were hired to stripe/sandblast & restripe the parking lot all before school started. Since it was done incorrectly, band had to bite the bullet and practice at the stadium last week.

BUT the joy of carpooling is that I DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE FOR 3 MORE WEEKS!!! Happy dance!

The band did a fabulous performance at their first football game on Thursday! And that was so fun to see. I've never been a band parent before, but I think I'm really going to like it. Fundraising is already underway for our HS band and my son has already reached his goal for the year! A big thank you to all my friends who have pledged money for the march-a-thon!!! We couldn't do it without YOU!

In other news, my hubby has a new job title -- Director of International Integration at Living Social. Sounds impressive. The plus side for us is frequent flyer points! ha. I'm thrilled for him.

My youngest child is in 5th grade. He's adapting to school. He was very bored with the whole organization, planning aspect of the first few days. On Friday he said, "We finally did some real work at school today." I guess he's ready for the challenges of another school year.

And on the final note, I have completed the 4x4 dinner groups for my Sunday School class. Groups have been made and I'm out of the loop for it now. I'm just a participant at this point. My next big thing for SS is to organize a fall social. Must give that one some thought. I am getting ready for Bible Study to start soon.

So my accomplishments this week were:

getting everyone delivered to band on time!
picking up / decluttering the house on Thurs/Friday
Have doen all the kids laundry (yesterday)
Made it to SS w/ the snacks today!
Have purchased all required school supplies (that I know about).

Sept & Oct

Well, it was an uneventful couple of months for mhy family of 4. However, that's not the case for our parents. My father-in-law has had two spells of extreme fatigue/weakness. The last one landed him in the hospital...for the better part of two weeks.

My mom is suffering from a Rheumatoid Arthritis flare. The first one she's ever had and it has almost killed her. The pain is so severe and constant that she can't do anything.

My eldest is doing well in school. He's currently 1st chair in his section (in the top band). He is currently in auditions for All-Region Band. He made the cut for the 1st round of auditions. The 2nd round is this week. He is constantly on the go working on group projects for school. I never know where he'll need to be after school lets out anymore.

My youngest is also doing well in school. He decided for himself that he would compete in the spelling bee in his grade. I am very proud of him for that goal. In part because he inherited my spelling gene! This will be an effort for him. I'm proud of him for the work he's already done.

My Bible study at church is wrapping up. Only 2 more weeks. The parenting class I help facilitate in our local school district is also wrapping up soon. This group has been so vocal. It's great to see parents helping one another with the unique needs of their gifted kids.

That's about all of note from here. Life with kids very busy. Life with kids and sick parent and sick in-laws us unbelieveably complicated when it comes to being in mulitple places at once. Thank goodness my husband works from home and can tend to his parents (for the most part).

The oldest is on a roll!

He competed in band solo contest last Friday and made a 1+ rating. I couldn't be there to hear it as I was moving mom to a nursing home.

My son the musician...

My son is in 6th grade this year. His school has 3 bands for the 7th adn 8th graders. During the past two or three weeks the 6th graders who want to continue with band next year have been trying out for the different bands.

My guy said he was shooting for the middle band. He was required to play all pieces with 80% accuracy. Well, the results were posted this past week and he made it into the TOP band!!!! I am so proud of him. Once he'd started practicing, I think he decided to just do his very best and see what happened.

He's in the top band next year! oh, you might need to take cover, my buttons are popping I'm so proud!