December 31: We are finishing out the year with IC working, Miss A at speech practice, and Miss E sleeping in! This year has been trying, discouraging, frustrating, and educating. Everyone can't wait for next year, so I hope it lives up to the hype and gets better. Only time will tell.
December 25: Christmas on our own and the kids seemed happy with their gifts. I even got a mug from Miss A and a huge Hershey's Kiss from IC, along with the carpet cleaner machine I had already picked out. The dog got some bisquits and the kittens had a ball with the catnip toys they got. The very best gift of the day was actually the amazing fact that the kids all got along all day. IC actually spent time downstairs, as did the girls. They did that until chore time and that was the first that had happened in a long time. IC even helped Miss E with her lego building on and off and we all watched the Croods 2 movie (although we all thought it wasn't near as good as the first one.)
December 24: After lunch, we went to my in-laws for a visit and gift exchange, since the family did not want to get together this year due to covid. After a Christmas eve service of singing through wearing masks and disposable communion elements, we went to my parents for a simple supper and gift exchange.
December 18: The high school also had to tape their music and put it on STRIV. And the camera was a lot farther away, so you really can't see people. Miss A is the only one in choir. IC prefers just band right now. The 2nd choir song, Miss A was cut off the side of the screen. There were 2 band songs and IC played trumpet and Miss A was on the marimba. The 2nd band song EVERYONE played percussion and it sounded really neat. Miss A was on the timpani and IC and his friend Owen were on a marimba together.
December 4/5: Miss A is student managing for the high school girls basketball team this year. She does the book a lot during the game. There are a couple of awesome senior parents this year and so Miss A got a nice wooden basketball sign to hang in the window. During the holiday tournament, she also did the boys' book, as they had no one at the time to do it. The 5th was parents' night. Only the seniors and their parents went out on the court, but I still got a purple carnation for the event. This keeps her pretty busy but she's gotten a good friend out of it, like she did for volleyball.
Nov 12: IC turned 17. He got a couple of gifts and actually had to work on his birthday, so it was quiet this year.
Nov. 1: In the afternoon, IC and Miss A had their final marching band performance for the year. It was a windy, but decent day. Miss A didn't carry her drum due to her back pain but still marched.
Oct. 29: Was the first high school music concert of the year. Unfortunately, it was on STRIV and it was filmed before that night, so sound and picture quality are poor. Also the music director didn't put a video of the L St. band playing, so I didn't get to see IC perform. Miss A was my only one to sing in the concert choir this year.
Oct 29: Scare on the Square with the FBLA kids handing out candy and stuff. Miss A got to do that. Miss E had a migraine and couldn't go and IC had to work and couldn't go. My first scare on the square that I didn't go to in quite a long time.
Oct 31: Miss E did get to go trick or treating on Halloween. Miss A went with a couple of friends, but didn't actually trick or treat, she just hung out with them.
Oct. 17: So, JJ and I ended up driving the trailer to the kids' marching band performance in Ashland. The band got a 2, not bad considering the cold and wet of the whole thing. The kids performed 2nd to last, which I had not seen them be in that position before. Miss A marched but did not carry her drum, as she had been having some back problems and pain. No band uniforms this year, hopefully, they will get to perform more and get out the uniforms next year.
