All The Things

The end of school is coming fast and furious! So. Much. Stuff.

🥁🎼 Zeke spring band concert 🎼🥁

Abe, Daisy and I arrived early to sell raffle tickets for the band. Abe and I try our best to embarrass Daisy. 

It doesn't take much.

She had to get in a selfie whilst taking our pics.

I caught Zeke in action bringing equipment to the stage.

We usually can't see Zekers because percussion is in the back. But this time we saw him!

🎶 🥁Eli UIL Beginning Band Benchmark 🥁🎶

I was able to tag along with Eli's class as a chaperone.

Lijee played marimba,

the crash cymbols,

and the suspended cymbal. His band received straight 'I's from all three judges! (A 'I' rating is the highest.)

💫🏆 WHHS Awards Night 🏆💫

I received two emails that my child would be honored at Awards Night, but there we no details.

Daisy received  the Freshman Golden Apple Award. This award is based on  academics, attendance, and all-around effort. Out of a few hundred freshman students, there were only a small number of these awards given out.

Our Zekers received an academic sweatshirt for maintaining a certain GPA through his junior year. 

Once again, out of a few hundred juniors, only a few received this award.

Zeke also earned several Microsoft certifications this year. The Microsoft Office Specialist certification is globally recognized as the standard for demonstrating  proficiency and hands-on skills. 

So proud of these two for leaving a school in Korea where they had 7 students or less in the class to a high school in America with 900 students. It was intimidating to say the least, but they both jumped in and did pretty well for themselves.

🎶 🥁 Eli UIL Band Solo 🥁🎶

The night before the contest Eli became nervous and worried that he did not prepare enough. He didn't really want to go to the contest the next day. I had him practice at night and again in the morning before we left. Lijee played the marimba. 

My littlest boy earned himself a gold medal with a 'I' rating!

I'm proud of his superior rating, but I'm more proud that he was nervous and full of self-doubt, but her persevered anyway.

💒💗 SIDEBAR: wedding 💗💒

DanFam5 minus one attended the wedding of Matt & Kylie Shaw.

↖🏕 OTHER SIDEBAR: Zeke Order of the Arrow 🏕↗

Zeke missed the wedding because he earned his Order of the Arrow award with scouts. It's kind of a big honor. Each scout had to be nominated for the award by their scouting peers. 

For over 100 years, the Order of the Arrow has recognized scouts who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. Scouts must hold at least First Class rank and have experienced 15 nights or more of scout camping.

🥁🎼 Zeke WHHS Band Awards 🎼🥁

Due to the aforementioned sidebars, Zekers missed his end of year band party and awards. WHHS Bandsman of the Year is awarded to the person whose attitude and actions epitomize the goals of the Cougar Band, and someone who is constantly a positive influence on those around him. Our Zekers walked away with the plaque. 

🎮📚 Eli Symposium 📚🎮

Eli's school is an applied learning school. They have an advisory period where they were able to choose a group at the beginning of the year that interested them. Throughout the year they worked on projects and took field trips pertaining to their advisory group. At the end of the year they give a presentation for parents and peers.

Eli's 'Passion Project' was on video games. The students picked something they were passionate about and gave a short presentation on it. Eli's was, of course, on gaming.

🥎🏃Volleyball Banquet 🏃🥎

Daisy's softball season wrapped up the year with a banquet.

All these events took place in one week. It was a little busy and we had to divide and conquer, but we did it.

I have always told my kids that God blessed them with a smart brain, however, it is up to them to decide how they are going to use it. I think they have made good choices. I am proud of each of them.

[May 16-23]