One Hundred and Four Days of Summer Vacation

Ten years after the show originally ended, a new season of Phineas and Feb came out today! This is one of our favorite shows. We have most of the songs from the first run memorized. Cooper suggested we watch a few episodes for family movie night and that's just what we did. It felt very nostalgic.

All the Choir Music

Cooper and Phoebe both auditioned for select choirs at the high school for next year.

And they both got in!

Cooper is in a combined SSAATTBB choir  as a Bass 1 and Phoebe is in an SSAA choir as an Alto 2. She's one of three incoming freshman that made it in. They're both excited to have additional musical learning opportunities next year. I'm thrilled that they both had the courage to tryout.

Bubbly

I unlocked a new girl mom achievement: I can now do "bubble braids." Sophie asked me to watch some videos and learn how so she could have them for her ropes course field trip this week. She was pleased with the results, so it was a success.

Why We Sing

Sophie performed at our last concert of the season. She played her violin with the orchestra and sang with the chorus. Both groups did a great job. The orchestra was surprisingly good, considering that most of the kids are still fairly new players.

Sophie was one of two featured soloists with chorus. She sounded beautiful!

Yes, this is a zoomed-in screenshot from a video, but it's the best we've got of her solo.

This has been the busiest year for musical performances in our family. Though it's sometimes been chaotic, I love that the kids have gotten several chances to grow as musicians and performers.

It Is a Truth Universally Acknowledged

I introduced Cooper, Phoebe, and Sophie to Pride and Prejudice on film this weekend. We watched the 2005 Kiera Knightley version. They all LOVED it. They enjoyed the banter, the humor, the family dynamics, the gorgeous cinematography, the longing looks from Mr. Darcy, and the happy resolution.

Not all movies are hits with everyone, but this one was a winner.

Cooper was there, he just wasn't in the picture.

Let Your Garden Grow

Selfie Queen

Somehow, these are all selfies...

Sunday Shenanigans

Pre-church selfie:

Post-church faking:

Evening cosplay:

Take Me Out (of) the Ballgame

On Friday night we attended a local baseball game to see Sophie and all the other elementary/intermediate school chorus students sing the national anthem. We did something similar last year and had a wonderful experience. This time we learned the weather makes a big difference when it comes to enjoying a sporting event. Last year it was a warm day that turned into a very pleasant evening. This year it was cold and rainy. We all brought jackets, but it wasn't enough. Topher and I made it through the bottom of the fifth inning. At that point the temperature had dropped down to 51 degrees. He and I went to warm up in the car. The rest of the family joined us during the eighth inning and we headed home.

Sophie's choir sounded great, though.

Topher was intentionally not smiling. I don't know why.

This beautiful sky was deceptive.

This one is more accurate.

Can you find Sophie? She's the tallest singer.

This is us, huddling together for warmth.

It's Time to Be the Hero

Have you heard of Maycember? It's a phenomenon that exists in our household. May, much like December, is full of end of the year (school year) activities, including concerts.

For the final concert of the year, the middle school chorus joins with the high school chorus. This was nice for us because it combined two concerts into one: Cooper sang with the high school concert choir and Phoebe sang with the middle school chorus.

Phoebe served as the chorus vice-president this year. That means she got to help announce the songs her choir performed. They also presented their director with a bouquet of flowers.

They sounded great. I especially loved when they sang "Homeward Bound."

The concert choir had an awesome entrance through the audience. Cooper is the eighth person in this line walking up to the stage.

This is a large choir and they sounded wonderful!

Towards the end of the evening, the directors handed out awards. Phoebe was one of two middle schoolers to be given an award. She earned it for her leadership and service to the choir. When her name was called she was surprised and kind of flustered. She looked at me and asked if she should go up to the stage. I said yes and she went up and received her award.

And then she prepared to sing her solo! The middle school and high school choirs joined forces and sang "Hero" by a composer who goes by the handle Pinkzebra. One soloist from each school was picked to open the song and Phoebe was floored when she got the solo! She sounded lovely!

At this point after the concert, Cooper and Sophie were both off with friends, otherwise they would have been in this picture too.

It was a long (at least two hours) but wonderful concert. I am so thankful that we live in a school district that values musical education so highly. And I love that my kids get to contribute to that music!