The Amazing Shake

Annmarie participated in a program called "The Amazing Shake", in which the students learn to be business like and assertive.  There was a competition to finish off the program, which she attended.  She wasn't too thrilled about the program as she got into because she thought it was boring, but I think that she will utilize the skills throughout her life (hopefully).

Orchestra Concert and Symphony Field Trip

 

Eliza had her pre-UIL orchestra concert this week.  This is when they perform their UIL music for parents.  UIL is at the beginning of March, so they always do a concert before it.  Eliza is in the 6th period orchestra, which is basically a freshman class, and she is the only senior.  She did not audition for the chamber orchestra because that is during 4th period and she was hoping to make Tempo for choir, which is also 4th period.  She couldn't do 3rd period orchestra because of choir or 5th period because of Black Box theatre.  It hasn't been her favorite year of orchestra as a class, but she does enjoy spending time with her friends from orchestra.

Nathan went to the Plano Symphony for a 4th grade field trip.  He really enjoyed the symphony and was glad to go.  

Final Pep Rally

Annmarie had her last pep rally of the school year for the last game of basketball season while Corey and I were in San Antonio.  Fortunately, Stefanie Zeltner was there and able to get pictures.  I asked her to send me any she might take of Annmarie and she did!

TMEA San Antonio

My parent orchestra went to the TMEA (Texas Music Educator's Association) convention in San Antonio for a clinic. It was similar to the clinic that we attened in Chicago in December 2024. Corey came with me to San Antonio and we stayed in a Holiday Inn separate from the other orchestra members. Most of them stayed at a Hyatt near the airport, but a few stayed in other places. Some drove down just for the day and then drove back after the clinic. We had a fun time. We got there and then went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant, La Tierra, with the other orchestra members. The food was great. 

The next day, we just ate breakfast and hung out until the clinic. Corey dropped me off at the convention center and I walked around until it was time to perform. Then we did our performance and clinic and afterward, Corey picked me up. We went back to the hotel and then met up with the orchestra members for dinner at Ida Claire's, southern food.  I thought it was delicious.  I'm so glad that we went and I love performing with the orchestra.

 

Last Valentine's Box Ever

This is Nathan's last year in elementary school; thus, it is the last time any of our kids will have a Valentine's box.  He chose to make an "Audrey II", based on "The Little Shop of Horrors" that Eliza was in recently.  Corey helped him with it.  He took a nerf football and cut it in half and carved out the center.  Then Nathan painted it.  Corey also took a funnel and cut it and used it as the place to deposit valentines between the jaws of the plant.  We used a bubble gum bucket that Annmarie got at the Homecoming parade as the pot for the plant.  They made teeth from cardstock and leaves and vine from green construction paper.  The final touch was adding "Feed Me Seymour" in white creepy letters.  It was pretty cool.

Cheer at Basketball

 

Annmarie cheered at all the basketball games she could. She said cheering at basketball was kind of boring, but I thought watching basketball was fun when I would go watch her cheer.  She had an injured ankle during basketball season, toward the end, so spent some time in physical therapy trying to work through the pain.  

Eliza's Senior Church Formal

Eliza chose to go to the church formal with a group of friends. The friends in her group consisted of Kaylee Collett, Julianne Shipp, Logan Adams, and two more kids. I went with them to take pictures and feel like I did an all right job despite my lack of skill in photography. After the pictures, they went to Olive Garden for dinner. Then they went to the dance at Boyd Farm in Rockwall. After the dance, they came to our house for snacks and games. Overall, it was a good night.

 

Jonah Wrestling

Jonah started wrestling this year as a freshman.  Last year when Travis was a senior, he took Jonah along with him to the wrestling practices over the Christmas holidays, so he had a little bit of knowledge of it.  Being his small size, he was able to wrestle varsity for most of the season.  He got one pin and one other solid win.  But the other wins he had were forfeits.  Even though they were forfeits, they counted toward wins and he got enough wins to letter in wrestling as a freshman!