From Kindergarten to College Graduation

Kindergarten

First Grade

We are so excited that she was promoted to first grade.  Even more excited that she has now graduated with her first big degree!!!  And it was a very pretty day!

I made these!!!

I got a little stressed about certain events and  needed a quick outlet to de-junk the brain.   So, I made these for my classroom.........

The only shapes I didn't do were spades, clubs & crescents.   Since I won't be teaching Beginning Poker skills this week.......   I passed on those.

My plans are to process big and cut out the shape.   I added the notebook paper because a background was needed.  Bam.  Done.   

Gingerbread Playdough!!!

I made this stuff last week for my classroom!   The kids loved it!  It smelled yummy!  (It looked questionable!)    When I added the spices...  I made sure it was a rounded off.  I wanted it to smell extra yummy!

Here are my little Ginger babies!   This was taken in December 2000!  Wow, time has flown!

God's Little Silver Platter

As most of you know,  I have been working at a school here in Frisco that I love.   How I got the job is quite the story.    I  told a friend that I had always loved that campus and just couldn't seem to ever get a job there.  It seemed elusive to me and I even had classroom experience!  She told her principal about me and magically I was hired a week later.   Yes,  it wasn't as a teacher in my own classroom.......but it was in a classroom as a para-professional at the same campus I had been drooling over for several years.   HAPPY!   God really opened that door for me!!!  Gotta love that!!!

SO,   I have been working there since December 2014 and loving every day of it.  The location, the people...both adults & children.   LOVE!!! LOVE!!!! LOVE!!!!!

In May, I was sitting at a table with teacher friends relaxing after a band banquet.    One was the person who told me and referred me for the job I currently had.  The other was teacher at another campus.   She asked me how I liked my job and if I had ever considered returning to the classroom and be the lead teacher.   I told her yes...but really didn't want to just throw out my resume anywhere and that I really wanted to obtain "God's Silver Platter".    I needed to feel that assuredly it was the place for me.   I felt I was too old to be somewhere that wasn't a good fit.

SO.......her next words were "I may have that silver platter."    "Send me your resume."  

In fairness,  I told my principal that I was interviewing for a job at another campus.  I also told her that my first choice is ECS but due to current living circumstances......   I planned to interview if/when they called.  I needed a big girl salary and responsibilities.

This really felt like my platter.   I quickly figured out that I personally knew the counselor and principal on her campus.  Life was really looking up and there were 3 open classrooms.    It doesn't sound much better than that.  Right?    There were open classes in K, 4 & 5.   I would love any of them...especially K.   It felt right.    As we all know now...........  
They just didn't see my sparkling personality!!!!!


It bothered me for about a day.  Then it hit me.......   God doesn't want me there.  Ok, I still love my current job and am quite content at this time.   I am content.   

  

A week or so went by & in early June,  I found out that a teacher on my campus had plans to quit at a latter part of the summer.   I emailed my principal and asked it I could be considered for that classroom.   It couldn't hurt, right?   Absolutely,  if God wanted me to have that classroom.....   It would be mine and on a silver platter.   I was content to just put my name out there.  

A month or so flew past and on July 20......  I noticed an email from my principal.    About 15 minutes passed and about 4 emails later.............. at 12:45 that afternoon.   I went into training the very next day.   I FINALLY RECEIVED MY SILVER PLATTER.  I had the classroom of my dreams.  I had the campus of my dreams.  

God provided that job on a silver platter!!!!!  

Eight Years a Band Mom...3 to go.

This post is intentionally meant for my future use.   I wanted a place to keep all these youtube videos in chronological order for myself to go back and watch in the distant future when band isn't such a major part of my life.   This year begins my 8th year of being a band mom.   I have sat through numerous football games and marching contests during the months of September & October.  Someday I'll do the math there.   It is too overwhelming to think of at this time.  This is a complete you tube collection and fun pictures from all the shows my children have performed in to date.   Enjoy!!

  "The Fox Hunt 2007"   Courtney was playing in the pit during this one.

"The Butterfly Effect 2008"    This year she was on a drum.   I can't remember which one.

                                        

This was actually taken at the Lonestar Drumline Classic.

Her Junior year was my absolute favorite show year.  That year they performed "Check Mate" at the State Contest in San Antonio.  She was on the cymbal line.  This was the first year for cymbals at WHS.  She was their section captain!

                                        

This particular video is their drumline performance of Checkmate.  She was the White Queen.

                                           

The next year in 2010 gave us the privilege of seeing both our girls perform.   Courtney was on a drum again and Meag played clarinet in the show.   It was called "Practice Makes Perfect" and Miss M had the opportunity to be featured as the first performer to make a mistake!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKVFBPYThg0

The only picture taken where both girls were in the pic!

                   

The Midas Touch in 2011 was a fun show to watch.  Meag began her band career on the guard her Sophomore year and never looked back!  Watch as King Midas turns the kids all to gold!!!

They were Division AA Champs at BOA this year!

"The Pied Piper 2012".  This show was a fun one to watch.   Near the end of the show many of the performers dive off the back side of the mountain!  She has a featured solo near the middle of the show.

Yes, she nailed that rifle toss!

During the summer of 2013, Meagann had the opportunity to join the Blue Stars for their summer DCI tour.  The show was called Voodoo and overall they had a 6th place finish when the summer ended in Indianapolis.  It was quite the summer for her.    Look up this show on you tube.  

This one is  M's final year at WHS.  She was the Colorguard Captain.  "Freeze Frame 2013" was a beautiful show.  This is the first year that WHS used swing flags with their show.  They were featured with the ballad.  Her friend,  Joye Dewey had the solo dance at the end of the show to "Ice Castles".

8th Grade Night Oct 2013

   

Winterguard is set to begin soon.  Meag will be performing with an independent guard this fall.  It is called CGT and many of her high school friends will be joining in on the fun.  Here are a couple of her high school shows.

The first one is called Song of the Sirens.  This was performed during the spring of 2010.   She begins the show on the far right side of the floor.

                                        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_qc9iiMiJo



Her final performance with WHS Winterguard in the spring of 2011 featured a show titled "Two by Two.  It was based on the joy that the animals experienced as they emerged from the ark.  Miss M was a giraffe.  Imagine that!



                                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujdp06YVq7k

This year is our son's first year at WHS.  He is playing a mellophone during their production of "Venemous".     The Show isn't finish yet and the current videos aren't released for public viewing yet.  Stay Tuned.

          This past weekend they were Division AAA Champs at our local BOA Competition!


(Note...not sure why those youtube links wouldn't post as a video.  There are probably copyrights on them for certain songs.  I just added the web address since I couldn't add the video.)



***So, the WHS ended their Venomous Show at the Semi-Finals round of BOA Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium.  They placed 15th at the end.  They earned a 5th place in over-all visuals.  Did I mention that they won their division 3A in visuals?  I could't have been prouder.  There were 94 other bands performing from all across the United States.  This was the first time that WHS was able to perform at that show.  

You will have to google this show or look for it on vimeo.  The copyrights have it locked..but it is worth the time to find it!  


Summer 2015 Meagann performed again with the Blue Stars.  The show was entitled "Side Show".   She had an amazing time on Weapon line A.   They earned a performance in the finals but didn't place.  It was a fun one to watch.  

Fall 2015  Wakeland performs "Forever 2015".   We shall see how this one gets finalized.  So far, the props are amazing!

Wakeland Class of 2014

Just yesterday she was this big.   She was afraid of cameras.  Notice that tear under her right eye.

Her first day of preschool.....  She broke my heart.  I still left her.

The very next day.....  "Yook at me!!!"

Where did my baby go?  There she is!!!!!

                                 Go out there baby and change the world!!!!    You got this!