May, Part 2-Band Concerts & Band Banquets

Taryn had fun with friends at Malerie's swimming pool. Malerie's mom sent this picture to me and I love how much fun they're having. Our pool never seems to be ready for the summer time, so it's nice to have friends who have pools ready for swimming even before school is out for the summer.

Abby and her friends Selma and Nat coached the juniors for the Powerbuff game of volleyball - seniors vs juniors. I was able to get into the game with my employee ID and since Abby was coaching and Tessa was playing with the drumline, I was happy to be able to attend.

Abby spent weeks practicing with the boys who were good athletes, but weren't that familiar with volleyball rules. She had to teach them the rules and work with them on plays and positions. It was fun to see her in her element and to watch the boys play. The juniors lost to the seniors, but it was ok. I loved seeing Tessa and her friends in the drumline too. They played for the crowd and kept the spirit alive with all of their cadences.

The Franklin band always puts on an end-of-year concert with their feeder middle schools, so Aubrey and Tessa were in the same concert. There were so many people, but they each played a couple songs and then they all played a song together. Aubrey was right on the end, so I had to get a closeup picture of her and then one of her half of the band.

 

Tessa was in the back with all of the percussion and because there were so many players, the high schoolers didn't even play. They just made sure the middle school players were on beat. She had fun reuniting with the younger kids that she knew last year from Hornedo.

They gave time for parents to get close up pictures of their middle school students, but since I had already taken a picture of Aubrey before it started, I walked to the back to get a picture of Tessa too. I took one with Tessa and Gisele, and then I took one of all the other Franklin band kids: Andrew, Josh, Andres, Tessa, and Kevin.

Tessa was invited to be a part of her friend's quince. It's not until January of next year, but they purchased the dresses already. It's for her cross country friend, Ayla. We were not in town when all of the girls went shopping together, but they got one for Tessa once they decided on the style. We went over to Ayla's house to try on the dress and Tessa was super excited about it. We just hope it will still fit in 7-8 months. 

Tessa's percussion class had a competition where they got to play all of the numbers that they have been working on in their class. I had only heard about them and listened to Tessa's part as she practiced on the piano. It's much more fun to hear all of the parts togethers. Tyler and I raced across town, but still missed their first number. Three of the boys played a trio which was really good, so I took a picture of them for Tessa. It was JD, Fred, and Steven. Then they played another ensemble that everyone played in, so we were able to hear that one. Tessa played the marimba for that number and she was in the front row. It sounded really cool.

 

The number we missed was the ensemble with only seven of the kids in it, but it's the one they're taking to state. It's called Shared Space, and they all play on the same marimba for most of the number. I was sad that I missed the performance. Luckily, another parent recorded it and was able to send that to me. They played one more ensemble with everyone and Tessa played the vibraphone for that piece and it was my favorite. It had a catchy tune and a really awesome ending. It was harder to see Tessa since she was in the middle row, but it was fun watching all of the kids performing together and having a good time.

Tessa ended up staying until it was all over to hear the awards. They placed in the top three for all of their numbers and received these trophies. Tessa was happy to be there to accept the awards and they posted this picture on the band app so everyone in band could see how awesome the percussion did at their competition. 

Aubrey's band banquet was the same night as Tessa's band banquet, so I didn't get any pictures of her before she left for the evening. Tessa graciously let Aubrey borrow her quince dress, so Aubrey was excited to get all dressed up with her friends. It's a dinner and a dance, but parents don't attend, so there was no way for me to get any pictures unless Aubrey took them. Luckily, she and her friends took a few, so I was able to get these from her. Here she is with some of her 8th grade friends. It's Bella, Aurelie, Aubrey, and Anna Grace.

Aubrey got really close with some of the 8th graders in band towards the end of the year. She was sad that they were moving up to high school next year and some were even moving away; but she was happy to spend the last couple events of the year with them. Here she is with Bella and Aurelie.

Tessa's band banquet was the same night as Aubrey's, but parents were encouraged to attend the high school band banquet, for which I was grateful. Tyler was not able to go since he was with Abby at an NHS event, so I went alone and sat with other band parents. We had dinner and then they did awards. Tessa won the Miss Goofy-Goober award for the percussion section. Nicholas got the Mr. Goofy-Goober award too, so I had to get a picture of them together. 

 

Tessa was also awarded the best percussionist award by Mr. P. She was shocked because the seniors in percussion are all very good players. Mr. P said that she worked really hard and always put in the effort to get better and because of that, she earned it. She stopped long enough for me to get a picture of her before she sat back down with her percussion friends.

The kids had fun dancing after the awards. I ended up staying because I was Tessa's ride home. I just watched from my table and took pictures every once in awhile. Here they are dancing when they were able to get Mr. P to join them on the dance floor.

Tessa and Nicholas were the life of the party and you can see why they earned the spirit award. They were front and center for all of the dances. Tessa's closest friend in band is the only other girl in the percussion section, Gisele. They had fun together at the banquet and I had to get a picture of them together.

After the dance was over, we had to get some final pictures. Here's the entire percussion section. Tessa was very sad about the three seniors since their days together were getting fewer and fewer.

They made cards for each of the seniors and Tessa wanted a picture with each of them too. Here she is with Fred, the section leader. He was awarded the top jazz player award, so that made Tessa feel a little better that she got the top percussionist award instead of him. Tessa also loved Josh. He was her closest senior friend from band. He was her bass section leader and she got along with him really well. She talked about missing him the most.

 

Her final senior picture was with Steven. He was the senior tenors player and she loved getting to know him this year. I loved this picture because Gisele and Josh both photo bombed, and it turned out to be a hilarious picture in the background. Tessa also had her picture taken with Marcos, another percussion player.

A few more pictures before we headed home. She took one with Gisele, Steven, and Josh and then they had to take a final bass line picture in order from top bass: Tessa, Andres, Josh, and Mauricio. Tessa loves band and I love seeing her so happy. Band was one of my happiest memories from high school, so I'm so glad that Tessa had a great experience in band too.

May, Part 1-Aubrey's NJHS, My New Job, & Tessa's All-Region

Aubrey was inducted into NJHS at her middle school. She had to answer some questions about her service and leadership skills, get some teacher recommendations, and have a print out of her grades to be considered. At the ceremony, they each walked up to the microphone to announce their name. 

 

Aubrey looked so pretty and she did a great job. We're so proud of her. Her friend, Jocelyn, was also in the NJHS and I got a picture of them with Tessa after the ceremony.

On May 4th, our school planned a parade for the older grades to hype them up for the upcoming STAAR test. Our counselor had the younger grades make signs and line the parade route and she also got the Franklin drumline to come and be in the parade. I was excited to be their guide so I could see Tessa. The high school students thought it was fun to be at Lundy since a couple of them had attended Lundy like Tessa did.

May 4th is also Star Wars day so everyone dressed up in Star Wars outfits. I did Princess Leia hair and wore white. The fun thing was that Audrey had dressed up like Princess Leia too, and we hadn't even planned it. I had to get a picture of the two of us together with the drumline behind us. It was a really fun event. I also found out that day that I was selected for the secretary job. I had interviewed the week before and had been waiting to hear. I started the next day. The other ladies in the office decorated my door with a huge sign and decorations. It was so pretty and it made me so happy. I was so excited to get the job, work full time, and be with such a great group of ladies in the office.

Taryn was invited to some birthday parties of her classmates and she had two parties in the same weekend. One of the parties was a pool party and the mom sent me some pictures. The party was for Kamden and their friend Devin was also there. They had younger siblings at the party as well, but Taryn was so excited to walk home with them after school and to swim and party with her friends. They had a great time together.

Abby and her volleyball team started spring league games. They played once a week and basically ran the games themselves. Coaches are allowed to be there to watch, but not coach so the captains take over and the girls just work together to play. Abby was debating if she was even going to play volleyball next year, but after the first few games with the team, she decided she really likes the girls and she still loves playing. She was nervous because there are three setters fighting for the setting position, but she was able to play a lot during the spring league games and show her teammates and coaches, who were watching from the stands, that she is a necessary part of the team. I still love watching her play and they did really well. They won all of their games except for one and then during the final tournament games, they lost in the championship game. They still looked good and will have a good season together if they continue playing hard and working together.

Aubrey had another softball game on the east side of town. She was able to bat every game, but I don't think she ever got a hit. All of the teams are new, so the pitchers are still learning and since most of the batters don't know how to hit either, most girls just get walked. This was the case for Aubrey. She didn't mind walking because that usually meant she got to go all around the bases. She was good at stealing bases on a wild pitch and she listened to anything her coach would say from the coach's box.

 

One of the girls on her team, Simone, has played softball for many years. She was the catcher and their best player. She always batted right before Aubrey. Aubrey would just do whatever Simone did when they were on the bases together. I got these two pictures as Aubrey was on first base and then third base. It was fun to watch her run the bases.

I tried videoing as Aubrey ran around the bases, and I luckily was able to get this picture as Aubrey crossed home plate during one of her runs. Sometimes she wouldn't get all the way to home because she was one of the later batters so if we made it to our ninth batter and we hadn't gotten all the runners around, Aubrey would end up stuck on third base when they called the inning for the other team to get a chance to bat.

This was their first win and they were so excited. Aubrey played second base and didn't have to do anything while in the field during this game, but she was ready. I took a picture after the game of Aubrey and Rianne. They both played second base during this game and had fun.

We were able to get a team picture with Coach Janes after the game as well. The girls were so excited about the win. My friend Kristina and I had to take Aubrey and Rianne for a victory treat at Dairy Queen after the game to celebrate their first win.

Aubrey had solo and ensemble the first weekend in May. She prepared a flute solo and was a part of a flute ensemble. We went to Franklin HS for the contest and she played her solo in front of a judge and an audience. She was very nervous and wasn't sure if she felt prepared enough on her solo, but she sounded beautiful and she did a great job. Here's Mrs. Allen helping her warm up and then one of her playing with her accompanist, Chris Allen, Mrs. Allen's son. She earned a 1 for her solo and she was very happy with that.

All of the flute players and the oboe player from Honors Band played a flute ensemble together. It was really pretty. Aubrey and the first chair flute, Aurelie, were the only two flutes on first part. It was the hardest part, but Aubrey worked a lot on that number so she felt a lot more confident on her ensemble than she did on her solo. I was so proud of her because she was the one who spoke for the ensemble and introduced them and their piece. She's always been our outgoing child and she does not shy away from being in the spotlight or being the center of attention. I took another picture of the group as they spoke with the judge after their performance. They did a great job and received a 1+ for their ensemble.

After they were finished performing, we took a couple pictures before heading home. Here's Aubrey with one of her good friends Anna Grace. Anna Grace is a year older than Aubrey, but they're in band together. Anna Grace plays the bassoon. Here's a picture of most of the girls from the flute ensemble, plus some other band friends.

Aubrey and Tessa both made their all-region bands. Since they are through EPISD fine arts, the shirts are the same on the front with the different band member names on the back. The girls were wearing their shirts on the same day and wanted a picture. They decided to do awkward faces for the picture and I thought it was pretty funny. Tessa's all-region concert had been postponed from January, so they finally got to perform in May. They wear their band's concert uniforms which is a formal dress for the girls, and all of the Franklin kids got corsages too which was really cool.

 

Tessa was first chair percussion in the 9th grade band. Their clinician was Mrs. Lambrecht, a professor at UTEP. Tessa loved her and said she was hilarious and a great conductor. They played three songs and I got a picture of Tessa and Andrew with Mrs. Lambrecht.

It's always hard to see Tessa during the performances since she's in the way back, but at least she's standing so we usually can see her head. In their three numbers, Tessa played snare, tympani, and bells/marimba.

Her favorite song that they played was the one where she played the tympani. They actually had to stop in the middle and start again because the trumpets missed their entrance during the performance, so Tessa was sad about that; but it was a hard number and they had only rehearsed for a day and a half. It was still a really good concert. Here's Tessa on the far side while she played the marimba and then one while she played the bells.

We took one more picture after the concert of Tessa with two of her fellow percussionists, Jake and Andrew. Jake is from Coronado and Andrew is from Franklin with Tessa. They had fun learning the music and spending the weekend together as they prepared for the concert. Taryn's friend, Malerie, came to the concert with us, so we took a picture of them by one of the sculptures on the UTEP campus as we walked from the auditorium to the parking garage. It was a fun night of music.