Band march-a-thon....

This morning was the march-a-thon to raise money for the band!  They marched throughout neighborhoods, throughout Tom Thumb and Kroger.  It was a neat experience watching them march through the grocery stores - it was so loud!  All the years of seeing and hearing the band in our neighborhood, and now we are a part of it.  It's a little crazy to think about!  Madison had a good time and she enjoyed everyone cheering for them!

First day of school!

Today was the first day of school for both kids....intermediate and high school!  New schools and big changes for both.

Nathan on the first day of 4th grade...and 5th grade!  It's uniform time for Nathan, but he got lucky because they changed the rule of tucking in shirts!  He was happy about that.

Madison on the first day of 8th grade...and 9th grade!  Today was college shirt day with jeans, so she took advantage and dressed down!

We dropped off Madison in the back by the band hall, which felt strangely familiar to band camp!  I think it really helped having 2.5 weeks of going to the high school under her belt!

Both kids were nervous, but had a great day.  They didn't get classes with any of their good friends, but they each had friends at lunch!  Both kids came home happy, and aren't dreading tomorrow.  Success!  Praying for a wonderful school year!

Another summer....POOF!

Today is the last day of summer vacation, and it went by SO fast.  We had an extremely busy summer, but it might be the best one we've ever had.  The kids didn't fight much at all (maybe because we were so busy), we did a lot of fun things, had two vacations, and stayed healthy!

This is how the kids feel about their summer break....

And this is how they feel about it ending....and school starting....

We did so many fun things this summer!  The kids went to Jump World, Urban Air, had sleepovers with friends, went to library events, the movies, the Omni Theater, the Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium (several times!), Pensacola AND the cruise.  Nathan went to Nickelrama, had lots of playdates with friends (and Chance), went to VBS and turned 11 in July!  Madison went to church camp and a Rough Riders game with the youth group at church.  She also stayed busy with band lessons, sectionals, and band camp this summer!  We had some lazy time (not much), a lot of swimming, tv, video games, and sleeping in.  It was a great summer and I'm blessed we were able to make so many good memories!  School starts tomorrow - intermediate school and high school.  Praying for a wonderful school year, lots of new friends, and for both kids to love their new schools (and for mom and dad to not bawl like babies when we drop them off).  Goodbye summer....hello school!

Meet the Teacher....

Another mom sent me this picture from Meet the Teacher!  Nathan found some good friends and was happy to see them!

Babysitting...

Madison and Nathan have been wanting to have Sadie and Hudson from church over one night so they could watch them and play!  Tonight, they came over and the kids had a great time.  They painted, played hide-and-go-seek, danced, and just had fun!  I'm so proud of these two....they are both amazing with little ones.  So attentive, nurturing, and so patient!

PinStack band party...

Madison's band party was today at PinStack.  I honestly think she would've preferred to sleep in late rather than go, but I think she still had a good time.  I was a chaperone and promised her I wouldn't follow her around, but I snapped this quick picture when I saw her!

Parent performance...

We went up to the high school tonight to see what all Madison has been learning these past two weeks at band camp.  It was neat hearing them play all their new songs, and see them march in their letter formations!  They even taught us (parents) how to march into position while holding the instrument correctly!  I won't lie though, it made us a bit teary-eyed seeing her out there, looking all grown up and mature, showing off her skills.  I'm still having a hard time believing that she is really in high school.  It happened so fast, and I know this last four years is going to fly by as well.  Better soak this all up - exhausted or not!

Another day at Don Rodenbaugh...

We decided to hit Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium one more time before school starts!  We invited Chance over to play, then out for Panda Express (their favorite), and then to swim.  They had so much fun, and after three hours they still weren't ready to leave!  These boys go non-stop, and I mean they literally don't stop. At. All.

Band pictures...

Madison had band pictures today, and while it's really hard to see her, I think they're still neat.  She's in the bottom row - third from the left in the section photo, the "R" in PIRATES, and the "A" in AHMO!  She hidden in the huge group photo, but she's somewhere in there!

Crazy hair!

Today was crazy hair day at band camp!  It's been awhile since Madison has had a crazy hair day - it's been since elementary school.  She was one of the spirit day winners and got a free ice cream!  All the directors loved her pink and blue/purple hair.

Friends...

Nathan wanted Matias to spend the night one more time before school starts, but it just didn't work out with our schedules.  So, we settled on having a day of fun together!

CiCi's pizza, and then back home for technology fun!  These boys are so much alike.

Marching band....

In 8th grade, Madison wanted to quit band for high school because she didn't want to march.  Well, in high school, if you're in band, you have no choice!  So, we told her to give it a year and then decide.  Fast forward to one week after band camp starts (6:45-4:45 every day, and even Saturday from 8-11)....she loves it!  Her words...."Marching band has literally been one of the best experiences ever!  I've made so many new friends and the directors are sooo nice.  Even though it's exhausting and difficult, it is all worth it in the end.  I cannot wait for this season of marching!"  Every time she talks about it, there's a smile on her face!  She's loving everything about it - friends, marching, learning dance moves for the show, music, etc.  She even said, "It's almost more fun than a Saturday!"

So proud of my girl!  She made the highest band a freshman can make, AND she made competition band (which should get pretty interesting with the schedule)!  A lot of late Friday nights and early Saturday mornings....I'm hoping mom and dad can survive too!

She made it through week one of band camp.  They learned a lot, used a lot of new muscles, and had fun!

Today, the two highest bands went and performed at the Curtis Culwell Center for all of Wylie ISD teachers!  She wasn't too excited about getting up at 5:30, but she ended up having a blast and loved seeing all her teachers and hearing everyone cheer for them!  My baby is so grown up.  Can't believe she's in high school.

She has band camp until school starts, and then the fun really kicks in with football games!  I'm praying for all of us!