8th Grade Formal, Band, Etc.

Saturday, May 14th was an extremely busy day. Luke had two baseball games. Jack had a basketball game, Kara had a birthday party at an escape room, and Jack and Anna had their 8th grade formal. It was definitely a day that required a lot of coordination. But, obviously, we made it work and everyone made it to their events. Luke's team won both baseball games and Luke played well. It was Jack's last basketball game of the season and unfortunately, they lost. After the game, they handed out the YMCA medals and the coach said nice things about each player (for Jack, that he has improved a lot, that he understands what the coach tells him, practices and applies it). Kara had a great time at the birthday party and loved the escape room.

The biggest event of the day was the much anticipated formal. Jack and Anna were both excited and nervous about their first dance. It was at the Drive Shack, which is a 3-story driving range. They had it set up on the lower floor with a small dance floor, a photo booth and lots of food. They didn't play any slow songs, so there was no pressure to find someone to dance with. They both said they danced and hung out with their friends and really enjoyed the experience. Jack had practiced the moon walk for weeks, and has gotten really good at it, but the dance floor was mostly on grass, so he couldn't show off his skills. Unfortunately, we were running a bit behind, so we had to do super quick pictures.

I stole these from the PTA's Facebook page.

Sunday, Luke was supposed to have the final game of his tournament and we went all the way to Winter Springs, and they played half an inning in the pouring rain and then delayed the game. We had to sit in our cars for about 45 minutes before they cancelled. 

Going back in time a bit, on Friday night, Jack and Kara had a middle school band concert. The theme was music from the movies and television and it was really fun. Before the concert started, they had a high school senior talk about the band program and he made it sound really great. He talked about how they were a big family and the band room was a safe place at the high school. He also mentioned that you could join even if you didn't have experience. They were having an ice-breaker for the students and an informational session for the parents on Tuesday. Jack and I were already planning on going, but after hearing him talk, Anna expressed some interest and I told her she should come too. She wasn't sure, but once I threw in dinner at Culver's she was in. 

She had played baritone in 6th grade and was hoping maybe she could try a different instrument. But, when we got to the ice breaker, she was really nervous to go in (all the other kids had their instruments). They had students outside and one of them walked up to her and asked what she played; Anna mentioned playing the baritone in 6th grade and they took her to that section. Then, she really liked the other kids. They gave her a marching baritone and she spent time with the other players. Meanwhile, I was getting all the band information. The band director seems nice, and I think it will be a time-consuming, but good, experience. At the end, all the kids came in and played the fight song. 

Both kids were happy and Anna is sure she wans to do band. She has been practicing the baritone and I e-mailed the band director, who said they will work hard to catch her up. 

Last night, Anna had another event--Gradventure (Jack didn't want to go, a decision he regretted when the day actually arrived). They close Universal Studios early and 8th graders from all over, including other states, converge and take over the park until midnight. Unfortunately, it poured with thunderstorms all night, so the outdoor rides, like the roller coasters, never opened. So, that was disappointing and made for longer lines everywhere else. Anna said she only got to ride 5 rides and she slipped and dropped her food, and her friends didn't listen to her when she could clearly see on the app that rides were closed, so they walked unnecessarily in the pouring rain and her friends left her while she was waiting in line for a butterbeer and then there was a miscommunication as to where to meet them.  

I was off from work and spent the morning in Winter Haven. My dad wanted me to look over paperwork for a retirement home he is considering. He also wanted me to look through a box he saved of my mom's old stuff. The box was really fun. It had report cards and pictures and the start of some journals (which reference other journals I want to try and find). It also had old yearbooks. My mom was voted most likely to succeed in high school. She also managed the basketball team, which I never knew. I still miss her so much, I can't believe its been 14 years. She died way too young. 

I enjoyed seeing my dad and we had a nice visit. We had lunch with my sister and Amanda. Amanda has had some major health issues lately. She was in the hospital for weeks and just got home on Thursday. It was nice to see her and I really hope the worst is over. I don't feel like it is my place to write about here. But, it has definitely been at the forefront of my mind for months, so it is also weird for me to not say anything.

I think that catches us up.