First Band Concert!

Blake is 4th chair trombone in this video. The band did a great job, and I tip my hat their instructors! We were very greatful that Papa Jim hurried up from NOLA to see the performance too.

Story: Blake tells me he's interested in band last year, so we go to the parent night/sign-up thing-a-ma-bob. He went straight for the trombone (said it could make race car sounds, lol)! The instructor was impressed and said we have a future all-state player on our hands and directed us to the instrument rental/sales area. HOLY CRAP! These things are not cheap (okay, it IS less than a race car). We could purchase a new one for $500+, purchase a used one for $250, or rent for $35/month. Hmmmm... Well, renting for a year would be more than purchasing a used one, but they won't buy a used one back for much. Being unsure about how committed Blake was going to be, I decided to snag a cheap used one off Ebay. It has served it's purpose, and Blake has never once complained. The night of the concert, I asked if he needed me to hang on to his case. He said I didn't need to because they had found a place to put them backstage. I asked if he'd know which one was his, to which he snorted and replied casually, "Uh, ya Mom. Mine's the only one from 1960." It made me snicker, and feel terribly guilty, but proud of him too, for never complaining. Later when I asked how he came up with 1960 he said he'd looked up the brand name and it said "since 1960", LOL! I assured him that was how long the company had been in business, not when his trombone was made ;) As time goes on, it appears this is something he enjoys and plans to stick with a while, so I may be shopping for a "newer" instrument this summer.

Happy Hallowdega

With Talladega was only another 2 hours from Atlanta, how could we pass that up? After Emily's birthday fun, we headed to Alabama to meet up with Papa Jim and experience the one and only Dega. Wow, that palce is H-U-G-E! Unfortunatly it was a wet, cold day. It took forever to get the race started, but we had a good time once it did. We had heard there would be lots fun Halloween activities, but never really found it. I'm sure it was much more fun for those who had consumed a good amount of alcohol, lol!

Emily Hits Double Digits!

- October 2009 -

Her birthday always has to include a steak dinner. Since daddy was leaving, we enjoyed it a day early!


Mini-pancake tower birthday breakfast and cards and gifts from afar started her actual birthday.



A newly decorated room was a surprise after school!


She requested a trip to Atlanta again for her birthday. Since they had Friday off, we hit the road!

A new treasure from her favorite store.

Dinner at the mall food court, lol!

An evening swim back at the hotel.

Popcorn and a movie ended our great day. Hope it was a day to remember!