A flower from my Sweetie...

I rarely see Chance when I am working yard duty at the school.   

He hangs out in the art room or heads to the Garden on Thursday.   

This Thursday after the bell rang and the kids were heading back to class... my sweet Chance came up to me  with a flower he had gotten for working in the garden.   

A nice moment... his eyes said it all as he handed me the flower.

"This is for you Mom!" 

  I gave him a big hug and a kiss, right there on the playground.

Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother. 

 Lin Yutang, Chinese writer

Trick or Treats...

Scott and Chance's scary adventures at Disneyland.

Halloween 2009

What fun decorations.  I like the Pluto one.

I am sick just watching him... word is he went 10 times in a row.   20 times during his stay.  This could quite possible be the reason he was not feeling well on Saturday for Jordan's Competition...

Trick or treat, smell my feet.

I know you'll give us lots of treats.

Not too big, not too small,

Maybe the size of Montreal.

The word is... the size of California.  

California Adventure, that is, where the Halloween party took place... 

trick or treats for all.

Halloween 2009

Whoa... that was a different kind of Halloween.  

 Just getting ready to blog it and I don't have any pictures.  

 Not the great Professional Photog picture from the Trunk or Treat, 

No pictures of Chance posing,

 No pictures from the School parade.  

In fact, 

first year I did not take the classroom pictures for the yearbook.  

So I will try and scrape up what I can to document...

 this being my favorite time of the Year.

Chance was  Ninja... 

this is him at the Stake Trunk or Treat. 

Scott and Chance's Jack o' Lantern... 

Chance drew and cut ALL by himself.

1) I did not dress up.

2) Did not light up the house... or was even home for trick or treaters.  

Jordan was in Santa Clarita for Bands of America Competition.

Scott and Chance went to Disneyland.

Me... I am a College Student, that kept me in classes until Friday afternoon.  I was finished in time to take Jordan to a late lunch and drop him off at the school.

I ended up spending Halloween with friends. 

Dinner out, and movie in.

Jordan spent Halloween...in his Band Uniform... 

marching, playing Tuba.

Chance, spent the weekend Halloweening it up 

with Scott at Disneyland.

Soft with a little crunch in the middle...

A spooky surprise arrived in the mail yesterday.

Mickey Mouse pumpkin lights!

A gummy hand for Chance

He can't wait to eat it.

We opened the packaging.    I told Chance to just bite off a finger.

Chance, "No... you have to cut it."

Mom,  "You bite it... like this"  

And I bit off the thumb at the joint.

I commented that it did not squirt out blood.  There was bone though!  

 He was freaked out... left the room and went outside and cried.  Told his Dad I was eating his hand.

I guess I am a little ghoulish...

*insert evil laugh*

I was able to console him by inviting him to come in and dissect the hand.  It appealed to the scientist in him.. he did... and all was okay.

I refrained from biting off anymore fingers...

Thanks Grandma Sara for the fun surprises.

The coveted box of Grandma's sugar cookies.

Thanks Grandma Sara... they arrived on Saturday, fresh and delicious.

The last morsel was just finished off and we still have more days to go before Halloween.   

So sad...

Homecoming Dance, Oct 24.

Saturday afternoon getting the corsage.... a busy day at the Florist.

On his way.

The Guys.

The Gals

His date, Whitney.

He said he had great time.  The gym was hot with all those bodies dancing.  He said at least it did not rain from sweat condensation on the ceiling of the gym as it did last year.  ? There is a Chemistry lesson in there on the exothermic and endothermic.  

Budding Artists...

The year Jordan was in 4th grade I signed up to be the ArtWise Mom.  This is through the PTA... a program where you go into the classroom and teach art to the kids one or twice a month.  Really depends on the teacher how often.    I self taught myself through the years a lot about art... simple stuff to teach the kids.  Do now that I highly frown upon someone going in and teaching a craft... but not teaching the art history and techniques behind it.   

This year... being that I added STUDENT to my plate... my available time at the school was limited.   But this job was never filled in... and I did not have a classroom volunteer job.   And actually this is an easy and enjoyable thing for me to do.   Just have to squeeze it in my schedule.  

Did it Thursday.   Day went like this... Prep for the Art Class, Work, ArtWise, College class.   Scott works from home... he had no idea where I had been all day.  Just knew I was gone.   Yep... some days are like that!

Back to ArtWise... two years ago the school district implemented an art program into all the elementary schools called VAPA.   The kids were learning all the techniques and mediums of art.  So being an ArtWise parent was not as valuable as it was before.   However with budget cuts, that was one to go.  So in order for my son to be taught about artists, art form... and how it fits into culture, social studies.... I need to step up and do my part, but share it with the classroom.   They LOVE it,  I LOVE it.

Being the time of year it is and that they are learning California history, I tied in Los Dias de los Muertos,   Days of the dead.    This not a scary holiday... but a holiday much like our memorial day.  In fact, putting flowers at graves comes for this culture.  It is a celebration of the dead.  Because they believe death is not the end, but a continuation of life.   It is an ancient holiday practiced by the Aztecs, Mayas ect.  Cool huh?  

Giving them a little culture lesson and showing the Days of the Dead artwork... which is basically skeletons doing everyday things.  It is happy, bright... not dark and gloomy depictions. We then made our own Day of the Dead skeleton using Oil Pastels on black paper.   Techniques were taught... I will spare you those.   But here is the result.    They did great!  

Chance's has the yellow sombrero.  He says he accessorized.    I only had them do the head... but others did do a complete body.  It did also include a bit of an anatomy lesson as we talked about what the nose would look like and why.  As they were drawing they wondered if they should have ears.   We figured it out together.

Notice the sweets around the picture at the bottom.   This is because delicious food is left out for the dead... to enjoy and know they are welcome.

Aren't those the happiest skeletons you have seen?

Top Salesman

With me being in school... Scott has taken over most of the homework and after school activities for Chance.  They make a fabulous team.  And he did something for Chance that he has been wanting to do for years, but I avoid.  Scott took Chance out into the neighborhood so he could do door to door sales.   

Chance proved to be quite the salesman.   Talked up a storm... would show them the catalog.  Who can resist such cuteness.   Not all purchased... but for the most part, he rocked.

Here he is enjoying a Pizza lunch with the principal for being top salesman in his grade for Sally Foster Gift Wrap. 

Dreams do come true.

A Thankful Morning....

"How many times do you have to ask a kid to get dressed?"   Posted by a Friend on FB this morning. 

I could relate.  And this morning was a good morning, both boys off to school, on time.   (I must note... that on time is not usually my goal, just getting them there is success!)   

This morning's routine consisted of minimal effort... other then asking Chance repetitively to get dressed.  See if that is all I have to deal with in the morning... all is good.   But some mornings not so good. AND we almost headed in that direction because after he got dressed he laid on his bed in a pout because he did not have a belt.  Whew... I was so glad it was an easy fix because two weeks ago when I first tried to get him to wear the same jeans, nothing meet his expectations.  Going from shorts to jeans... icky.  Add the belt... icky.   Then the shirt coincidentally... icky.  Breakfast... icky.   Going to school... icky.   

My comment to my friends status...

"I have been thinking if I have Chance put on his clothes before he goes to bed... skip the whole Pajama step... it would eliminate problems in the morning routine. 

Do you think that would make me a bad Mom... or an ingenious one?"

 Mornings... they are a crap shoot! 

 Today I WON!

TWICE...

Need a sword...

I do believe I am going to pull out my Zorro costume this year... in honor of C-Jane's blog post.

"There is a point where a girl becomes a woman." She said. A point where a woman becomes a female warrior. Where her life is no longer a game, it is a genuine battle. Not to survive only, but to survive and be strong.

 This time though I am getting a sword... to cut through the Crap!

Picture from two years ago... Glad my hair is short, but missing that skeleton in the rocking chair, he has been used for parts in a Bottle Rocket Launcher and Sprinkler Fixings.   I think I should have Chance build another.

October Saturdays...

Our late Saturday afternoons and evenings have been being filled with Marching Band.   Last week they were in Merced.  We took Scott's parents, Gordon and Ellen, picked them up on the way.   It was great to show them what Jordan does... what he LOVES, what he spends his waking moments thinking about!

Yesterday we were in Modesto.  We got there right at the beginning, even before the AVHS buses arrived.  We were treated to many a band.  Amazing watching the smaller bands... 20-30 members.    Chance was horrendously bored.  But he survived.   

I studied for tests coming up this next week.   I made it through one chapter at least.   

This is the unusual and stunning beginning of Jordan's band, AVHS Marching Band and Colorguard.  The title of their show this year is "Where the Sidewalk Ends".   Do you see the correlation to what they are doing on the field?

They get better every year!  And I must say they are looking exceptionally good in their uniforms this year!  Great group of kids and instructors.  Truly blessed to have such an amazing program!

"Miss Them Profoundly"

"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will-- to your surprise-- miss them profoundly." (Finding Joy in the Journey, Thomas S Monson, October 2008 GC)

Good to remind myself. 

   I will miss walking into my kitchen and seeing this.

I will... 

This one is "Dragon's Blood"

Thankful for pictures that I can look back on and remember.

Love my Chemist... appreciate his zeal for learning.   He asked me last night about how atoms have energy.  I could answer him and give him examples.   Yeah... for Chemistry, if nothing else,  I am learning... and therefore what he talks about is interesting to me and we can discuss!

And it is October!

Awwww..... you all warm my heart!  I stopped by today, since is this is where I get my Belgian Waffle recipe.   I had some time,  I stayed for just a bit to see if people are still checking to see if I write.   You do!   *smile

To just catch you up a bit.  First I promised to let you know what kept me away in June and some of July.   So to hold to that, I was the Program Director for SFBAC Twin Valley District Webelos Day Camp.  Well not was... I am.   In layman terms.... I plan, procure supplies, and manage the activities for a week for 200, 9-10 year old boys.   I have a co-director who manages the administrative part, I do the fun part.   It was a blast, tons of fun,  and Kimberly and I.... the K and K team.... immensely enjoyed it, the boys enjoyed it.... and to tell you the truth, I am excited to do it again.  This time though, planning has already begun.   

So that was an event.   Next, I celebrated my Fortieth birthday.... and you know that 40 is the new 30!  And my husband has decided I am having a midlife crises!   Maybe....

On a Saturday in August, I got out of bed and decided it was time to go back to college.  The semester started that Monday.   Now... mind you, I have been rolling this around in my head for the past year.  So it was not out of the blue.  I have done some research.  I knew what I wanted to do.  But that morning, I decided.... NOW or never.   So that leads me into another added part to my plate... because you always have room for more, right?   I am a college student at the local Community college.  I am taking 8 credit hours and am about 7 weeks into the semester.   Taking Biology and Chemistry.  It has been a tough haul, adjustments all around for the family. But we are managing.  We are hanging in there... and I am LOVING the learning!  

Still working at the public school, just cut my day down to two... because that is all that fits into my schedule.   Still finishing up a bit on the uniforms for Jordan's band... I am Uniform Coordinator... that essentially means that I have a crew that is responsible for getting the kids looking good head to toe.  Of course, I am about raising the bar... doing better then the year before!  

Jordan is in 11 grade... doing band, enjoying it, but struggling with the fact that it is not Blue Devils.   He was warned, he was told... to be nice.   The best way to explain... like playing ball for the top College team and then going back to high school and playing with the freshman.   It is all good and he can be very helpful when his attitude is in the right place.

Chance.... oh Chance, my sweet Chance.  He is in 4th grade.  Where has the time gone?  I must point out that with Jordan... I have learned and with his 7 year spread, I can see mistakes I have done and how it has affected him.  Mistake... to baby him with his homework in grade school!   With Chance... he is on his own!  And he does rise to the occasion!  Love seeing that.  The teacher places consequences out there and rewards.   He has experienced both.

Scott has started traveling more.... that puts an added twist to my schooling.  Yikes!  But we are managing.  He said he will be doing much more of it.  So do think of me... pray I keep it all together.  Some days are tougher then others. 

So there you see... busy I am.  But it is fun to get on here and write.  So maybe... I will do more of it.   Because who does not like to read about what the crazy Lady is doing now!

What a Champion looks like!

He is home... taken with in minutes of his arrival.

Sporting his Gold Medal and his "Body by Drum Corp"... as he said.

This experience has turned him brown... all though Jordan has never been white.   He has also managed to rid himself of any baby fat he was still holding on to.

Through this experience he has whittled down 33 lbs.   Yes, folks... he is a mere skin and bones, clothes just hanging on him.   

Now he has a few days to get his AP summer homework done.  Complete his BYU online Spanish 2 class.   Then it is HS Band.  This will be a breeze for him!   

He will not be playing the Trombone this year, but will be playing the Tuba... as he did for the Blue Devils.  Multi-Talented he is.  

He is SO my Son!   Love him!

They Did It!

Blue Devils B Corp are the new reigning Open Class World Champions.

Jordan and his Dad at the Colt Stadium in Indianapolis, ID.

(I look at the picture... and think... that kid can't leave for 2 1/2 weeks without needing a serious haircut!)

A must see video... the Blue Devils Basking in the light of their win!

Life on the Road for a Rock Star.

I did talk to Jordan yesterday... he was sorry he has not called or texted me.  But in all actuality he has been very busy and homesickness is not an issue for him.  All those years we have been sending him away are paying off.  One day he will leave for college and we will never hear from him again.

A little taste of what it is like to be a Rock Star.  

Housing... school gymnasiums.   Bring your own pad and bedding.

No site seeing for this crew.  When they are not eating, sleeping, or performing.... they are practicing over and over and over.  The price you pay to be #1.

Where the food is prepared and served... right out of the rolling kitchen.   No meals are eaten at restaurants, fast food.  They are home cooked right here.  Last night it was Spaghetti and the fixings with brownies straight from the oven.   Tonight it was BBQ Chicken... cooked on the large grill, stuffing and peas.   Stars... must be feed like stars to perform like stars!

Age of Electronics requires a plug. 

 Hey, can I use your electronic outlet strip?

The tour continued...

A little update on Jordan.   He is in Belding, MI for a competition tonight.  This is the 3rd one of the trip thus far.  The other two... Omaha and Lyons, MI-- they placed first.  Tonight they will once again meet up with a local Bay Area Drum Corp... and we will see how they still match up.  Thus far they are the closest to upsetting the World Championships for them.

So... yes, the excitement is building.   Scott left for Chicago yesterday on business.  He will meet up with the Corp in Dayton, Ohio on Friday.  From there he will be driving the equipment truck and sleeping on his cot.   Fun!

The following are pictures I took at the Dublin Show back on July 19.

You may need to click on these... to get a better view.

But do note the nice lines and curves... the cohesiveness of them as a whole.  All while moving and playing.  They are smooth as butter and sound phenomenal.

In just a second they will turn around-- a really cool sight.

The end of the performance.  And very nice to see them still playing the role of high caliber performers... even when they are no longer being scored.  This is only a very small taste as I was too distracted by the fabulous to remember to take pictures.

As the rest of the Corp is retreating... the Contra Tubas (Jordan) line up and wait.  The color guards are gathering their flags.  This picture show the very first Contra Tuba as he steps out of line to retreat from the field.  I was also trying to figure out which one is Jordan... by enlarging the picture I am pretty sure he is the 3rd one in from the left.  They are all dark... racial coloring or not... so much sun they have had.

As they walk past the stands.  Click on that picture...you can just see the sharpness in their walk.  Awesome!

He is the first one in the second row.

So there is a little taste of what he does.   Their performance was new and improved from the first time I saw it ... about 3 weeks earlier.  And am sure the performance in Indiana... will be the same kind of improvements.   

They receive scores on different parts of the performance... the final score, of course, is based off those.  The Corp with the highest score wins.  They have progressively improved their score... as are the others behind them.   Do remember they are undefeated.  But it all depends on who performs the best on D-Day.   They are currently forecasted as getting the World Championship in both A and B Corps.   Cross your fingers... the pressure is on for them.

And Jordan... paving the way to his scholarship, besides having a great time!

Jordan rides the train.

Okay my arm has been twisted.   And besides my son is having a once in a life time experience (actually he wants to have the experience for the next 2 years); it warrants me archiving this time in his life.

I will cheat a little though and add an email from one of the parents.

The Blue Devils are on their USA tour through the midwest right now.  They started on the California Zephyr in Emeryville (Oakland) and this will take them to Omaha, Nebraska where they be on bus.  They will finish up in Indianapolis at the DCI-- Drum Corp International.  Then fly home.   This is not a luxury trip by any means.  No hotel rooms... only school Gyms and Buses to sleep on.   Food is prepared by a travel group of parents and their truck loads of food.   Jordan got a trial run of this memorial day weekend.  It was wonderful... he said.  He also experienced on their So Cal Tour.  

Scott has been a dutiful volunteer and drove equipment trucks for a few of the competitions.  He will be meeting out in the midwest and will be driving the equipment buses and then driving them home.   

So did that catch you up?  Oh and we will just mention that by the time Jordan starts school... he will only of had 11 free days this summer.  Add on to that he has a Spanish Class through BYU he is trying to finish up before school starts  AND summer work for 2 AP classes.  

He has great ambitions... have to hand it to him.   Unfortunately, the Eagle project has been put on hold until he can find time.  Oh, but that gets good... time will not happen until December.  When he gets back from tour... he goes right into HS Marching Band.

Did I mention the kid is having the time of his life?  Well he is!

Message yesterday-- 

Mom- "How is the train ride?"

(most of you should remember that Jordan is my train boy)

Jordan- "AWESOME!"

Practice on Mars-- where he spent lots and lots of time.

The uniform... sorry no copies of the picture.  We have one legal copy.  They are really expensive.  In fact this whole experience is quite pricey.

Before I get to the parent's email.  Jordan is in the B Corp-- the A Corp is where his aspirations are.   Blue Devils are world known in the Marching's Major League.   Undefeated they both are... and both the top scores.  Indiana will tell though... when all the Bands meet at one place who is # one.   I will keep you informed.

Below is email from the parent.   I will add my two cents in.

   

Has anyone found out whether the kids get bussed back to Blue Devils hall from SFO on the day they return? 

 

            I had thought about trying to ask someone the morning of dropping off the kids at the Hall the day they left, but it was still dark and a lot of milling around, and I didn't really feel like tracking down Rick or Debbie to ask them that at that time.  I am sure that we will get the official word well before the return flight date.

 

            Does anyone want to meet at the Nob Hill parking lot and hang out for five or ten minutes just for old times' sake?  How will we fill that void that is left from the time waiting at Nob Hill and the time driving to Mars?   ( Yes, Jordan and these 4 boys and their families.. we do have a connection with them.)

 

            I had a short telephone conversation with Chris today.  He said that everything is going well.  They are able to sleep and they have electrical access for all their electronic devices.  He said that they had just passed Rawlins, Wyoming, which would not be along the route that Amtrak shows for the Zephyr.  He said that they had a route change.  I think Wyoming would be farther north than the standard route. 

 

            Have any of the rest of you heard any news?  Maybe each of us reporting those little bits and pieces of information can replace what the car pool used to be for us. 

 

Has anyone heard anything about how they are replacing Sovina Edwards as the staff bus driver once they reach the Midwest?  I suspect that also means that Mark Edwards is probably also off the tour.  It seems like that would leave them shorthanded on adults, and it seemed like they were shorthanded to begin with.  (Sovina is the parent volunteer coordinator for all the driving.  She broke her knee on the way out to Nebraska.  She is the only driver for the staff bus.  Currently staff is on the train with the kids... but in Nebraska the staff rides in MAGIC... magic because they never know if she will make it.   Magic had an over heating problem and Sovina took off the radiator cap.  The spurring water caused her to fall and break her knee.  Once again... I can't OVER EMPHASIS VOLUNTEERISM.  I have no tolerance for those who do not carry their weight!  It takes a village to raise these kids.)

Till Another Day....       GO BLUE DEVILS!