Band UILs

We have been blessed with two fantastic band teachers. I love both the middle school and high school teachers. They are respectful of the students and encourage them to do their best.

May is band UIL season. The University Interscholastic League is an organization that creates rules for and administers almost all athletic, musical, and academic contests for public schools in the state of Texas. The music program of the UIL is designed to support and enrich the teaching of music as an integral component of the public school curriculum. More than one half million middle and high school students participate in UIL each year.

There are opportunities for solo, small ensemble and whole-band competitions in the spring. Earlier this spring Eli competed in the solo UIL and earned a I rating, which is superior.

They also went as a group.

Here is the view from the back row looking out.

They did very well. The band earned a superior rating for their concert pieces! This is the first year that the symphonic band, or the non-varsity band, attended UIL. Ms. Brandt was very pleased that they earned a I rating.

Zeke's band attended UIL as well.

This is Zeke's best percussion friend that I love, Maddy.

After performing concert pieces, they have maybe 7 minutes to sight read a new piece of music and then perform it.

They earned a superior rating in sight reading!

Zekers with the seniors.

[April 4 and April 10]

🎶 Total Eclipse {Of The Heart} 🎵

We were lucky in that the total solar eclipse of 2024 was set to run smack dab over DFW. That's right, a 

🎵Total Eclipse {Of The Heart.}🎶

 It's pretty much impossible to say that without singing it at least in your head, if not out loud. 

Uncle John and Aunt Nancy made plans months out to come visit just to see it with us. Unfortunately, Nancy wasn't able to travel due to an injury, but John came solo. We enjoyed a nice family afternoon together the weekend before.

Jimmy, Susan, Vivia, Abe, Clay, John, Daisy, Zeke, Eli

🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕

A total solar eclipse occurs somewhere on Earth every 18 months on average, but most often those are not viewable over populated areas. It is estimated that a total eclipse will occur at any given location only every 375 years on average. 

The kids had school on eclipse day, so I went with the White siblings to view the eclipse.

It occurred around lunch time, so Abe was able to sneak away from work join us.

All of North Texas waited with bated breath as it came closer and closer to totality time. The sky was filled with clouds and we weren't sure if they were going to let up enough for us to see. At some points, this was the view of the sun:

But then there would be a little break and we could spot the sun. At least the part of the sun that was not yet covered by the moon, anyway. 

Just as it was getting close to totality, the clouds let up, allowing us to view the entire thing. It got weirdly dark. Street lights came on. It was not pitch black; I think maybe the clouds actually reflected some of the light. The temperature suddenly dropped about 10 degrees.

It was incredible to experience. I even forgot to take very many pictures during the actual event because I was in awe. The sky appears much brighter than it actually was, and this was the best picture that I personally got:

This is what I actually saw:

I snagged these pics from friends. The sun's corona, or the outer atmosphere, is visible. Normally the sun is so bright that we can't see the corona.

That red spot at the bottom is what they call space weather activity, or solar flares. The solar weather, solar wind, the magnetosphere, and ionosphere effect communications and power grids

A total solar eclipse happens because the sun is about 400 times larger than the moon, but the moon is about 400 times closer to Earth, making them appear the exact same size.

After about 4 minutes of darkness, the moon kept moving and the sun began to peek out. Even just that tiny peek of sunshine was enough to make it bright again. Pretty amazing how powerful the sun is.

After a couple more minutes, the moon passed by at 1900 miles per hour, the sun was bright again, and the clouds came back.

I managed to get some leaf pics while there was a sliver of sun. You can tell it was shortly after totality because the shadow is just a tiny sliver. It's cool the way that works. The whole experience was pretty amazing to watch in person. Ten out of ten recommend.

[April 8]

My Baby Zeke Is An Adult

Eighteen years.

 Eighteen years ago this tiny little human transformed me into a mother. Eighteen years ago my life was forever altered in the best possible way.

Chuey and I started Zeke's 18th birthday morning with 18 balloons.

Here's a shot at school on the big day.

The rest of Zeke's day went as normal, but we added in a birthday dinner at Olive Garden.

Then time for birthday cake and gifts.

He had so many candles he couldn't get them all blown out. Well, actually he couldn't keep them blown out (they were the re-lighting kind).

On the weekend we went to a VR breakout room that was Alice In Wonderland themed.

Nothin' makes you feel older than being in a VR breakout room with your kids. I was like the old lady who can't figure out technology. They were running around getting clues and the whole time I was like, "Guys, how do you climb the tree? Where is everybody? I can't pick that thing up and drink it." We did get out, but I contributed zero to the escape.

This boy is pretty amazing. He is wildly intelligent. He listens more than he talks, and when he does talk it is very deep and insightful. But he can be silly, too, and he still has the best laugh. He sets high goals and works hard to achieve them. The same little boy who cried and cried because we cut down a tree in the backyard is the same big boy who still has a huge heart and cares about injustice.  However, unlike that little boy, Zeke The Streak does not take off all of his clothes when he walks in the house anymore.

He may officially be an adult now, but he will always be my baby boy.

[April 4]