Memorial Day Weekend

I’ve been slacking at my blog upkeep lately. May “hem” is in full swing this year with all the sports, banquets, end of school fun, graduation and May also happens to be my busiest month at work. So... lots of time for everything but blog writing!! Never fear though.. I have been thinking about my blog and gathering all the fun pictures to go with the aforementioned activities so I should have enough to keep my blog going for quite some time in the future!!

Let’s start it off..... it’s a long post because while my blog has been quiet, our lives have not!!!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend - the kids went with their Dad to the beach this weekend, so John and I are just having a relaxing weekend and I’m catching up on sleep, scrapbooking, photography assignments, etc.

On to the past week......

Laila Graduated from UT Arlington last weekend!!! YIPPEEE!!! Congratulations beautiful one!!

John and I traveled up to Dallas to be a part of the festivities marking this wonderful accomplishment. Laila & Justin also just bought a new home so it was fun to see their new place and stay with them. Simba, their adorable (but previously very aggressive) Australian Shepherd did soooo much better. He didn’t even hardly bark at me (ok, a few times) once Laila introduced us again!! :-) I’m pretty happy about that and have to say, was a little nervous about it too. I think I may be able to say I’m even a little friendly with him now that I’ve played ball with Simba now. Anyhoo... the house was gorgeous!! Graduation was exciting and Laila looked beautiful and happy. Justin’s parents, Terry & Les, graciously hosted all of the family and friends out to their amazingly wonderful ranch for lunch. There had been grand plans for swimming, volleyball, horseback riding, etc., but the weather did not cooperate that day!! John was the Chef and BBQ’d chicken, made some pasta salad and guacamole! It was a hit and everything went swimmingly.

A couple of my favorite pictures and TONS more in the Flickr Group - Click HERE or on the Picture Gallery link on the right.




6th Grade Band Concert - Stephen & His Euphonium
Stephen participated in the 6th Grade Band End of Year Concert on Tuesday evening at Friendswood High School. There were actually TWO 6th Grade Bands for the first time ever this year. The Band saw 250 kids from 5th grade signup for 6th Grade Band! That’s pretty amazing given the entire class size of 6th grade is only 400. Over 60% are in the Band. Another reference point.... there are that many or less in the ENTIRE High School Band (4 grades). And... for more excitement, over 180 of the 250 are going on into Jr. High Band. Not sure where they are going to put all these kids... but hey, it’s a good problem to have if you’re a band director.

It always amazes me to hear kids play their 6th grade End of Year Concert. When these kids started school a mere 9 months before, they had no idea how to play these instruments at all. Over such a short period of time really as 9 months isn’t all that long, they go from knowing nothing about their instrument, to reading music, learning notes and finger positions, scales, chords, and playing a musical song together as a band that sounds pretty good. I’ve always thought that was amazing...even when I was doing it oh so many years ago. Watching my kids do it has amazed me each time.

Some of my favorites are below, more pictures in the Flickr Set - Click HERE or on the Picture Gallery link on the right.

Yes, the Euphonium is almost as big as Stephen. The handle on the case keeps breaking (school rental). We’ve fixed it at home many times this year, but can’t fix it this time, so he has to carry it differently now!!





BASEBALL 2009 - Little League Minors - The Knights
We have wrapped up Baseball 2009! (Secret yay from Mom!) However, sad for Stephen. He loves playing baseball. He’s improved a great deal this year with some good coaches who were more encouraging than in prior years and overall, I think Stephen has grown a bit in strength and confidence.

The Knights ended up placing 3rd in league play for Minors! Was a great job. The tournament began and was played with groups of 4 teams seeded having to play each other with the overall winner advancing to the next bracket. Unfortunately, the Knights didn’t do all that well in the tournament ending with a 1 - 1 - 1 in their round robin games. So, their season ended last Thursday evening with the Team Party on Friday night at Cici’s Pizza. The one game I missed last Saturday was the game in which Stephen was the hero and received the game ball (of course, I would miss that one game!!). He had a good hit that brought a runner in, but more importantly apparently, he caught a pop fly in center field that stopped the other team from scoring and taking the lead. The game ended in a tie (not a loss) because of it. YAY Stephen!!!

A couple of favorite pictures here, and you know the drill by now.... Flickr Group HERE or Picture Gallery on the right.




Hoping everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day!!

MA