All the Music and More…
The last week of February connected with the first week of March which was a week of all the music (and additional activities…) Monday night we were able to attend an Honor Choir concert in Pella. Several Iowa schools chose students outstanding in their choirs to perform together on this evening. They practiced separately for weeks prior to the day, then spent that day with guest conductors singing together as a group, learning methods and coordinating. This was Ben’s second year to be chosen and the event was again packed and a fun one to attend for both the kids and parents.
Tuesday we attended Parent/Teacher conferences for Sam and the subsequent Book Fair. Sam has a brand new teacher and 4th-grade team this year who have been doing some really creative things in the classrooms. We are enjoying the approach so far and he is feeling challenged by his extended learning. This is the first time in our nine years at our elementary school outside of covid lockdown that we have been unable to work at the Book Fair – it felt very strange. We did make a quick loop through and purchased a couple of post-conference books.
After conferences, we were off to Ben’s Pops Choir Concert. The 8th and 9th graders performed together for this and it was a remarkably entertaining show. They sang songs by Neil Diamond and Backstreet Boys. Ben practiced so much at home his brother and his friends are now fans, especially of Backstreet Boys.
Thursday brought us Northview Night where the Middle School hosted an evening of Show Choir and solo entertainment. We were able to experience the full range of talent from the eighth-graders during the breaks between acts. Ben’s girlfriend performed a rendition of Burn – she’s clearly a theater kid and gives depth to her rendering, some kids acted kind of goofy, and some performers were very polished. We also were able to observe all the show choir teams our kids could be involved in over the next few years. Their performances were all unique and gave me hope for what is ahead.
Saturday was a full day of baseball tryouts for the guys and I had coaches’ training for a running group I am working with. I followed this up by taking the boys and the girlfriend to some of our favorite shops around town and then finally… home. Sunday brought us the usual baseball camps for Jeff and Sam and Ben and I got to have our coffee shop time.
Monday was conferences for Ben all night. Tuesday was a brand new event at Sam’s school called Wax Museum. The 4th-graders put it on in the cafeteria after hours. Sam was Chadwick Boseman. He dressed up, made a poster board and a presentation, and had to stand still until we pressed his “button” and he delivered a prepared speech. Each child presented on someone who made a difference or big changes in some way. They were impressive in their presentations and costumes. It was such a great event.
We finished out the night with baseball pictures and appropriately, the end of Wakanda Forever. I think our next movie may be 42…
And with that last adventure, we are caught up to the present. And I am taking a bit of a break. I have been trying to post once a week for 52 weeks. I’m not sure where I am in that process, but my other work isn’t getting the attention it needs while I am keeping up with this. I will be back. I will be putting some things up on social media. I will post on our trips. But I also need to pay attention to when I need a break. Thank you all for following along and I will write again very soon!
